50 ways to greener transport
Nov 22, 2011
Transportation is one area that is ripe for delivering savings to businesses looking for ways to contain costs. Transport companies are feeling the pressure to streamline operations. Transporters face diesel fuel prices that have the potential to reach two to three Euros per litre in the near future, and are further strained as they navigate the changing landscape of government regulations.
Add to this the steady growth in customer demand for greener transport solutions, and transporters must find ways to extend shelf life, reduce fuel consumption, decrease maintenance costs and differentiate through strategic capital investments in order to remain competitive.
The potential savings of a greener fleet aren't limited to transporters. However, businesses everywhere are feeling the economic pinch and are looking for ways to operate more efficiently.
From acquiring raw materials to shipping goods to market, transportation costs can have a significant impact on the bottom line and environmental impact of any business.
Consumer pressure is also a factor. Customers are increasingly aware of the environmental impacts of the products they buy, further driving businesses to invest in sustainable processes, including the supply chain.
Thermo King, a manufacturer of temperature control systems for a variety of mobile applications and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, develops innovative transport solutions that meet this growing demand for efficient transport temperature control systems.
With more than 70 years of experience, Thermo King has implemented solutions like those outlined below for a wide variety of customers, including CryoTech, OptiSet, and modulation through Electronic Throttling Valve (ETV).
50 Ways to a greener fleet
A greener fleet includes improvements in the following areas (please see below for the complete list):
- Fuel usage
- Emissions
- Noise
- Maintenance
As demand continues to grow from businesses seeking new ways to achieve improved efficiency, 2011 will see more businesses allocating budget to make improvements like those suggested here to their fleet vehicles and supply chains.
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50 Ways to green your fleet complete list
REDUCE FUEL USAGE
- Quicker pull down (Electronic Throttling Valve [ETV])
- Operate unit with shore power (SmartPower electric standby)
- Use all-electric direct drive truck unit (B-100)
- Save fuel by establishing proper settings for your specific load (OptiSet Plus)
- Reduce fuel consumption (CYCLE-SENTRY modulation)
- Follow recommended maintenance schedule to maximize fuel efficiency
- Shut down reefer when door is open (electronic door switches)
- Run unit at highest efficiency (SR-3 control system)
- Use fuel-efficient units (Thermo King truck, trailer and APU units)
- Create efficient temperature zones and optimize airflow (Thermo King chutes and bulkheads)
- Minimize door openings
- Use strip curtains to minimize air loss
- Save fuel by requiring less engine run time to recharge battery when in Cycle Sentry mode (EON battery)
- Inflate tractor and trailer tires to proper pressure
- Obey speed limits to save fuel
- Avoid quick accelerations
- Improve aerodynamics of your tractor and trailer to reduce drag and increase mileage
REDUCE IDLING
- Use an APU or electric APU system for cab power and heating/cooling (TriPac and TriPace )
- Use cab heaters to provide heat rather than running tractor engine
- Turn tractor off while loading/unloading
- Reduce idling by providing power to lift gate and lights (EON Power Pack)
- Use engine coolant heaters rather than running tractor engine
CARB COMPLIANCE
- Use CARB-exempt direct drive truck refrigeration units
- Add a Diesel Particulate Filter to existing APU systems
- Use an electric APU system (TriPace)
- Install engine conversion kits to convert older units to run on newer, emissions-compliant engines
REDUCE EMISSIONS
- Run electric standby at the loading dock, which generates no emissions from tractor or unit (SmartPower)
- Direct drive truck units have no additional diesel engine to generate emissions
- Add a Diesel Particulate Filter to existing APU systems
- Use an electric APU, which generates virtually no emissions (TriPace)
- Run emission-free refrigeration systems (CryoTech)
- Use engine conversion kits to convert older units to run on newer, emissions-compliant engines
- Use clean refrigerants with low ozone depletion and global warming potential
- Use EPA-certified engines (TK486V)
- Load and unload quickly
- Plug in units and APUs with electric standby at truck stops where plug-ins are available
- Keep units and trucks properly tuned and serviced to reduce emissions
REDUCE NOISE
- Choose quiet units (Whisper noise reduction)
- Electric standby is quieter than a diesel engine (SmartPower)
- Select direct drive truck units, which are quieter than self-powered units
- Use cyclonic air filters, which have a sonic choke that muffles sound and reduces the decibel level of the unit (EMI3000 filters)
MAINTENANCE
- Use electric standby to reduce maintenance waste by extending intervals (SmartPower)
- Select extended maintenance interval filters to reduce waste as they require less frequent changing (EMI filters)
- Create less maintenance waste with an electric APU no belts, oil changes, etc. (TriPace)
- Extend maintenance intervals by shutting down unit when doors are open (electronic door switches)
- Choose a battery which lasts as long as five wet cell batteries (EON battery)
- Select remanufactured parts to reduce waste
- Recycle used parts and old units whenever possible
- Use the correct batteries for TriPace (NxT batteries)
- Properly train technicians to maintain equipment to run at peak efficiency
- Install engine conversion kits to convert older units to run on newer, emissions-compliant engines
