Fuel Consumption of Tractor-Trailer Trucks as Affected by Speed Limit and Payload Weight

PDFTech ReportDOT-TSC-OST-75-3CommoditiesEconomic factorsEnergyFreight transportationFuel consumptionHighway transportationRegulationRailroad constructionRoad testsSpeed limitsTractor trailer combinationsTrailersTruck tractorsVelocityWeightMassachusettsUnited States. Dept. of Transportation. Office of the SecretaryBroderick, Anthony J.John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, (U.S.)United States. Dept. of Transportation. Office of the SecretaryAGR-FREIGHT-FREIGHTAGR-FREIGHT-Commodity FlowAGR-FREIGHT-Motor CarriersNTL-FREIGHT-FREIGHTNTL-FREIGHT-Trucking IndustryNTL-ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT-ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTVolpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference CenterThe effect of speed limit and payload weight on fuel consumption was determined in tests of tractor-trailer rigs. Two virtually identical vehicles were used, one loaded with a 28,000 lb payload and the other carrying 42,000 lbs; each was driven over two different sets of terrain on the Massachusetts Turnpike at simulated speed limits of 50, 55 and 60 mph. Onboard TSC observers recorded data on tank-measured fuel consumption, trip average speed, etc. An analysis of the data led to several conclusions which are presented