Study on vehicular fuel consumption and emissions (freight vehicles)

• Main Author: Hai, Yin
• Other Authors: Wong Yiik Diew
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Civil engineering::Transportation
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/49186
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

In view of the global concern of climate change and energy scarcity, energy efficiency in all sectors has become an urgent issue that needs be addressed for the sake of sustainable economy and good quality of the environment. The transport sector, being responsible for large share of greenhouse gas and pollutants emissions as well as energy consumption, has to play a role in achieving energy efficiency. In Singapore, actions of promoting fuel efficiency in freight transport have been very limited. Empty run, idling, emissions of harmful exhaust are common behaviour of freight vehicles on local roads. There are limited studies and information on freight operation and the effect of freight emission on the environment. This project investigates the operation profile of freight companies and studies the effect of freight vehicles on the traffic conditions and air quality particularly the particulate matter (PM) by conducting surveys and fieldwork. The results show that there is inadequate awareness and enthusiasm towards fuel efficiency of freight vehicles among local freight operators. Only a small portion of them have considered or implemented measures to improve the payload and reduce the vehicle-distance run empty. Most companies had failed to take the initiative to promote eco-friendly driving behaviour as the government did not make this mandatory. The result of fieldwork which investigated the vehicular composition and air quality during peak and off peak hour on weekdays shows that the freight vehicles have posed great influence on the air quality in terms of PM concentration. The rise in PM level at low vehicular speed intervals shows the effect of congestions on pollutant emissions. Based on the investigation results and the current policies of freight and road regulation, this study suggests several areas that the government and freight sector could work on to effectively improve the future fuel efficiency in freight transport. The suggested areas are off-hour delivery, research in IT-based freight, eco-driving and stricter enforcement of legislations.