Fifth-wheel coupler manufacturer Jost believes it is closing the gap on scaling the next frontier in vehicle aerodynamics – the gap between a tractor and trailer. Its Smart Gap System (SGS), on display at the recent Technology and Maintenance Council exhibition in Tampa, automatically alters the size of the gap while the equipment is on Continue Reading

A public-private partnership platform has released promising road results using boat tails on trailers. The Dutch PART (Platform for Aerodynamic Road Transport) announced a 7.5 percent reduction in fuel consumption in testing conducted over the course of one year. PART’s ambition is to achieve a 20 percent Continue Reading

Beginning January 1, 2010, 2011 and later model year 53-foot trailers must comply with SmartWay regulations in the state of California. The rules apply to dry, refrigerated and curtainside van trailers, and they must be SmartWay-certified or retrofitted with equipment meeting SmartWay technical requirements and Continue Reading

Fleets and drivers can again apply for incentives through the Manitoba Trucking Association (MTA) to help pay for aerodynamic and other green technologies. The province’s GrEEEn (Economic and Environmentally Efficient) Trucking Program offers rebates of up to 25 percent ($2,500 per unit) for the use of low rolling resistance tires, aerodynamic Continue Reading

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority is channeling a half-million dollars into further developing drag-reducing technology at the rear of the trailer. ATDynamics, which was awarded the funds, plans to use it to promote its active flow control (AFC) technology for commercial use. AFC helps reduce Continue Reading

A new lightweight, aerodynamic bumper from Hendrickson Bumper and Trim has been released for Volvo 3003 and newer on-highway trucks. Available for retrofits exclusively through Volvo and Mack dealers, the AERO CLAD bumper features an air dam. It combines corrosion-resistant stainless steel and Continue Reading

2007 engines received a cleaner bill of health than expected, according to a new study released by a group of government and industry organizations including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board. The clean diesel technologies used in Continue Reading

The federal government is making up to $240 million in grant money available for technology aimed at making sweeping changes in transportation. The No. 1 area of interest, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, is the development of a “SuperTruck,” one that can show a 50 percent improvement in overall freight efficiency Continue Reading

Customers interested in reducing fuel consumption are considering U.S. EPA SmartWay certified equipment, which can yield a 6.5 percent fuel savings. The EPA SmartWay spec includes the use of side skirts and low rolling resistance tires. Recent legislation Continue Reading

Windyne Inc. announced the introduction of a semi-trailer belly fairing that both horizontally telescopes and vertically retracts. The proprietary horizontal telescoping feature accommodates for the forward and rearward movement of the trailer tandems. The proprietary vertical lifting feature provides ground clearance and under trailer access.

These combined features proved under third party SAE J 1321 Type II testing to yield a minimum 7% savings absent of any other aerodynamic devices, the maker said.