HCT (HIgh Capacity Transport) - increased energy efficiency with reduced CO2 emissions in cities, pre-study

Purpose and goal

The project wants to test how an HCT solution can work in an urban environment. A five-axle truck was leased from Finland and tested with a 20 tonne load for 3 months and compared with a three-axle BK2 truck. The purpose was to test an HCT truck for use in the city. The goal was to increase transport efficiency in the city by reducing the number of trucks for heavy transportation by about 50% and reducing fuel consumption by 10% per tonne-kilometer. This without increasing wear and tear on the road or increasing the risk of accidents.

Expected results and effects

The results from the two truck runs showed that the BK2 truck needed 172 runs as the HCT truck only needed 111 runs with the movement of the same load. This means that the HCT solution was 35% more efficient and we significantly reduced the number of runs in the city. The results also showed that fuel consumption decreased by 10% per tonne-kilometer. The results contributed to plan for a follow-up project to further understand transport efficiency, bearing capacity and eventual increased risk of accidents.

Planned approach and implementation

A strategic analysis was carried out to understand how other countries have solved congestion and heavy transportation in the city. A test and demo method was set up to study a five-axle HCT truck that was leased from Finland because it was not available in Sweden. The test of the HCT truck was compared with a BK2 truck and both transport efficiency and fuel consumption were calculated. Despite a short test period, we received interesting results that led to a planned continuation project. LTU developed a test method for future calculation of the road load on the HCT truck.