Aspects of energy use and emissions by heavy trucks

The thesis develops a model to estimate heavy truck energy use and emissions using new knowledge bases and practical scenario-based analysis techniques. The model is designed to analyze (1) contemporary energy use and emissions and (2) efficiency improvements over time by heavy trucks under regulatory change and emission reduction initiatives. Heavy trucks are tractor trailer semi-combination units operating on non-congested rural highways in Western Canada.; New knowledge bases are developed from ten Prairie-based carriers and from industry officials. These knowledge bases are applied to the Manitoba Heavy Truck Energy and Emissions model using a rational methodology comprised of the consecutive determination of four variables: (1) truck kilometres of travel as a description of activity; (2) truck characteristics; (3) fuel consumption rates expressed as a function of gross vehicle weight and season, based on a survey of actual travel containing 272 million miles of travel and 39 million gallons of diesel from the period between May 1999 and September 2004, and (4) emission factors based on analytical assessment of the literature. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...