Intelligent surface transport technology for more fuel-efficient trucks An EU initiative worked to reduce trucks' carbon footprint by developing a new type of truck tyre along with sensors and advanced trailer telematics. Digital Economy Transport and Mobility Climate Change and Environment © MF_vxw, Thinkstock The European Green Car Initiative (EGCI) established measures to boost research and development in green technologies that will also propel trucks and buses in the near future. Energy management, aerodynamics and low rolling resistance (RR), as well as eco-driving and innovative truck designs are important contributions to improved efficiency of the heavy-duty vehicle. The EU-funded LORRY (Development of an innovative low rolling resistance truck tyre concept in combination with a full-scale simulation tool box for tyre performance in function of material and road parameters) project contributed to greener, safer and more efficient mobility in freight transport. Project partners investigated innovative tyre concept designs in combination with blade and tyre technology. The novel concepts displayed wear and RR improvements during laboratory tests, and were further integrated into the LORRY tyre prototype used for the fleet tests. The project team studied and combined effects and properties of raw materials for the fleet tests. The most promising materials were mixed in compounds and then characterised. The compounds selected for the trials were eventually combined with the developed tyre concept designs. Laboratory results of prototype steer tyres show improved wear and RR, reducing fuel consumption by 25 %. To better understand material and tyre behaviour, researchers developed enhanced models and methods. They also devised a method to predict RR and tread wear for a given truck-tyre combination. LORRY introduced measurement methods and predictive tools, as well as new tyre designs and materials to significantly improve tyre wear and RR performance. These innovative solutions went beyond the EGCI roadmap expectations for 2015, smoothly bridging and feeding forthcoming initiatives on tailored and sustainable trucks. Keywords Transport, trucks, truck tyre, rolling resistance, LORRY
