Fuel Savings on a Heavy Vehicle via Aerodynamic Drag Reduction

In this numerical study, the fuel-saving potentials of drag-reducing devices retrofitted on 15 heavy vehicles are analysed. Realistic on-road operations are taken into account by simu- 16 lating typical driving routes on long-haul and urban distributions; variations in vehicle 17 weight are also considered. Results show that the performance of these aerodynamic 18 devices depend both on their functions and how the vehicles are operated. Vehicles on 19 long-haul routes generally save twice as much fuel as those driven in urban areas.