SEDL / STP / STP1225-EB / STP13259S

The Influence of Pavement Evenness and Macrotexture on Fuel Consumption

Delanne, Y
Head, Roads/Vehicles Interaction and Road Accoustics Group, Laboratoire Central des Ponts et Chaussées, Bouguenais,

Pages: 8    Published: Jan 1994

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Abstract

This paper is concerned with light vehicle fuel consumption on paved roads. It starts with a recall of different factors affecting car consumption and then focuses on the effect of road irregularities. Recall of results of practical tests carried out at the LCPC, on the one hand, and more recently in collaboration with a tire manufacturer (Michelin-France), on the other hand, are presented. Then, when considering effects of road irregularities on road qualities such as: riding quality, braking efficiency, inside and outside noise (tire/road interaction), and component vibrations, it appears that required specifications for low fuel consumption surfaces can be detrimental to other road qualities. Nevertheless, some new surfaces offer a very good tradeoff.