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Sustainable Timber Transport—Economic Aspects of Aerodynamic Reconfiguration

Author

Listed:
  • Erik Johannes

    (Division of Applied Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics, Department of Management and Engineering, Linköping University, Linköping 581 83, Sweden)

  • Petter Ekman

    (Division of Applied Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics, Department of Management and Engineering, Linköping University, Linköping 581 83, Sweden)

  • Maria Huge-Brodin

    (Division of Logistics and Quality Development, Department of Management and Engineering, Linköping University, Linköping 581 83, Sweden)

  • Matts Karlsson

    (Division of Applied Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics, Department of Management and Engineering, Linköping University, Linköping 581 83, Sweden)

Abstract

There is a need to reduce fuel consumption, and thereby reduce CO 2 -emissions in all parts of the transport sector. It is also well known that aerodynamic resistance affects the fuel consumption in a major way. By improving the aerodynamics of the vehicles, the fuel consumption will also decrease. A special type of transportation is that of timber, which is performed by specialized trucks with few alternative uses. This paper follows up on earlier papers concerning Swedish timber trucks where aerodynamic improvements for timber trucks were tested. By mapping the entire fleet of timber trucks in Sweden and investigating reduced fuel consumption of 2–10%, financial calculations were performed on how these improvements would affect the transport costs. Certain parameters are investigated, such as investment cost, extra changeover time and weight of installments. By combining these results with the mapping of the fleet, it can be seen under which circumstances these improvements would be sustainable. The results show that it is possible through aerodynamics to lower the transportation costs and make an investment plausible, with changeover time being the most important parameter. They also show that certain criteria for a reduced transportation cost already exist within the vehicle fleet today.

Suggested Citation

  • Erik Johannes & Petter Ekman & Maria Huge-Brodin & Matts Karlsson, 2018. "Sustainable Timber Transport—Economic Aspects of Aerodynamic Reconfiguration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-18, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:6:p:1965-:d:151964
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Karin Isaksson & Pietro Evangelista & Maria Huge-Brodin & Heikki Liimatainen & Edward Sweeney, 2017. "The adoption of green initiatives in logistics service providers - a strategic perspective," International Journal of Business and Systems Research, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 11(4), pages 349-364.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hongyou Lu & Yunchan Zhu & Yu Qi & Jinliang Yu, 2018. "Do Urban Subway Openings Reduce PM 2.5 Concentrations? Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-24, November.

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