NTL Record

Title Review and Analysis of Potential Safety Impacts of and Regulatory Barriers to Fuel Efficiency Technologies and Alternative Fuels in Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles
Record ID 55162
Personal Name
Creator
Brecher, Aviva; Epstein, Alexander K.; Breck, Andrew
Source 193p. in various pagings
Corporate Creator John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)
Corporate
Contributor
United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Publisher United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Publication Date 20150600
Language English
Abstract This report summarizes a safety analysis of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MD/HDVs) equipped with fuel efficiency (FE) technologies and/or using alternative fuels (natural gas-CNG and LNG, propane, biodiesel and power train electrification). The study included a comprehensive literature review, complemented with inputs from subject matter experts (SMEs), and a scenario-based hazard analysis. Specific FE technologies examined include: Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and telematics, speed limiters, idle reduction devices, tire technologies (single-wide tires, tire pressure monitoring systems-TPMS and Automated Tire Inflation Systems-ATIS), aerodynamic components, long combination vehicles (LCVs) and lightweighting materials. Federal and State safety regulations, and voluntary technical standards affecting MD/HDV fleet adoption of FE technologies and alternative fuels were discussed, and potential regulatory barriers identified. The findings suggest that the potential safety hazards identified can be prevented or mitigated by complying with safety regulations and voluntary standards and industry best practices. The study did not identify any major regulatory barriers to rapid adoption of FE technologies and alternative fuels by the MD/HDV fleet. Note: This report was subjected to external peer review per OMB guidelines for a Highly Influential Scientific Assessment (HISA). Materials from the peer review process are publicly available in accompanying documents.
Rosap ID dot:12207
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/12207
TRT Terms Alternate fuels; Vehicle fleets; Aerodynamics; Fuel consumption; Medium trucks; Heavy duty trucks; Driver training; Lightweight materials; Engine idling; ITS program technologies; Safety; Biodiesel fuels; Liquefied natural gas; Tires; Hazard analysis; Regulations; Components
General Subjects Safety impacts; Fuel efficiency technologies; Crash rates; Scenario hazard analysis
Classification AGR - IMPACTS - IMPACTS;
AGR - IMPACTS - Environment;
NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Vehicle Design;
NTL - ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT - Environment Impacts;
NTL - LAWS AND REGULATIONS - LAWS AND REGULATIONS
Geographical
Coverage
United States
TRIS Online
Accession No
1570518
Contract Number HS9AA1
Report Number DOT-VNTSC-NHTSA-15-09; DOT HS 812 159
Availability Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference Center
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/55000/55100/55162/812159-RevSafetyImpactsRegulatoryFuelEfficiencyTechMDHD.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository