Efficiency with Semi-Trailer Trucks

newenergyandfuel.com

In places that lack railroad and are well within land, semi-trailer trucks are your tools for freight transportation. Looking back at the discovery age and beyond, ships were the fastest means of transportation. A vessel relied on the wind and did not need to take as many rests as horses in a caravan.

Today modern tractor trucks and also busses and trains use diesel engines that differ from car gasoline engines, in the way that inside the diesel engine hot compressed air is confronted by fuel which causes it to combust. In a gasoline engine air and fuel is mixed before hand and ignited by a spark plug. Diesel engines provide better efficiency compared to its little brother thanks to higher compression ratios. A step away from fossil fuels is biodiesel made from substitute of soy beans, corn, sawdust or other

While tractor trucks come in many different sizes the most notable feature is its nose. In many areas of Europe trucks come without one. While each have their perks the main reason European trucks lack a nose is regulations that constrict the maximum length of the truck. In EU the tractor and the trailers length are combined while in the US only the trailer is counted. Thus having a nosed truck leads to a lesser trailer load and less profit.

When it comes to landscape North America’s endless fields between cities can make drivers weary. Because cab length does not cut earnings many cabins include a sleeper with a small bed behind the cockpit. Most European truck drivers do not own their vehicles and lack a bed. Without the engine in the front the driver’s view is unobstructed and can turn tight corners with less difficulty. EU trucks are also designed for better maneuverability. North America’s lengthy interstates let nosed trucks to be more efficient when traveling at high speeds.

If total efficiency and using less fossil fuel is what you’re looking for, opt for trains to do the work. Still however you would need trucks to deliver goods from the train station to their designated area. Places lacking railroads such as Mexico, Argentina, Australia and such can be replaced by the road train. A tractor truck hauling 3 or more trailers connected together. These are effective in remote places without disturbing traffic, and roads with long turns. The future of semi-trailers will most likely be to reduce emissions and fuel usage by means of aerodynamics. Sony's new innovation is the smart truck. Using their tv screens sony allows car drivers behind the truck to see what's in front.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com

http://biodiesel.org/what-is-biodiesel/biodiesel-basics

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a6274/are-gas-engines-now-more-efficient-than-diesel/

http://biodiesel.org/what-is-biodiesel/biodiesel-basics

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truck

http://www.quora.com/Why-do-US-trucks-have-a-nose-while-European-ones-dont

http://www.reddit.com/r/cars/comments/16vmzp/why_are_american_trucks_semi_trucks_and_european/

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=422168

http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/transportation/questions/which-is-more-efficient-for-freight-truck-or-train

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_train