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• ) , -) r I Mike Aldridge is engineering

22nd June 1995, Page 37
22nd June 1995
Page 37
Page 37, 22nd June 1995 — • ) , -) r I Mike Aldridge is engineering
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services director for the NFC's Exel Logistics and BRS fleets, which include some 1,600 7.5-tonners. Most run at the top motorway limit: "Generally speaking we allow them to run at 70mph," he says. "Sometimes that's part of the criteria for choosing a 7.5-tormer, certainly on the Newskow newspaper distribution contract. We did tests five years ago and convinced ourselves that aerodynamics are worth it. We've burnt our bridges now; lust about every rigid comes with an aero kit fitted so we don't have (aero vs non-aero) up-to-date figures— but I know they work! The Argos 17-tonner achieved around a 20% improvement in economy," says Aldridge, "That was taking a brick-shaped 17-tonner in 1 987 and comparing it with a very slippery truck. Now we're convinced."

The payback period for the Freighter was well under two years and, based on mixed running with motorway work, Aldridge sees two years as being typically at the outer edge of the payback envelope: "Unless you've got a very special operation, like city centre work."

Alan Parker, director of engineering for TNT, has plenty of experience with CV aerodynamics—not just on TNT's own fleet but through its contracts operation. He takes aerodynamics seriously enough to go his own way on kit: "We get our own equipment, using the same design codes that we took with the Department of Energy initiative to produce the aerodynamic tractor semi-trailer project. We've taken the design spec and down-scaled it to suit any vehicle weight. We know that what we've got is proven—we've got the data—and when you ask other people to do the same you start treading murky water. Unless someone comes along showing me same real live proven data supported by an independent organisation like TRL then I'll stick with what we've got. It typically saves 12-13% on fuel on a rigid vehicle."

When it comes to payback periods Parker cites the example of an MAN 8.153 rigid operating in the express delivery services division with an average consumption of 15,3mpg, doing 35,000 miles per year and with a duty cycle based on multi-stop/start inner-city distribution but with some element of stem mileage from the operating centre to the limits of its distribution area.

Based on these parameters he allows for a payback period of 6-8 years. This is longer than Exel's two years because of the TNT truck's lower average mileage, multi-stop/start and low speed. Parker explains: "That payback is calculated against current actual compared with a theoretical worst case.' , goo

David Joyce is company operations manager for Tuffnells Parcel Express which, runs a large number of Leyland Daf and Iveco Ford 7.5-tanners alongside its drawbar prime movers and tractors. The 7.5-tanners occasionally run at up to 70mph and are fitted with aerodynamic equipment. Joyce explains: "We looked at

the old Roadrunner and new 45 Series with and without aerodynamic --kits fitted, running out of the same depot. On average vehicles with it on saved up to a mile per gallon in fuel economy." All Tuffnells vehicles now come with aerodynamic equipment as standard. Joyce believes that aerodynamics "also create a more friendly image in the High Street and I think that's important. It's not just a

financial exercise, it's an image , i

exercise."nzza # 111117 1: Agra

Tags

Organisations: Department of Energy
Locations: Agra

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