Optimizing Fuel Efficiency in Intercity Buses: Aerodynamic Design Enhancements and Implications for Sustainable Transportation in Bangladesh

Rony, M. R.; Islam, M. J.; Shahriare, S.; Alam, M. M.

doi:10.47176/jafm.17.12.2664

Optimizing Fuel Efficiency in Intercity Buses: Aerodynamic Design Enhancements and Implications for Sustainable Transportation in Bangladesh

Document Type : Regular Article

Authors

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, Chattogram, Raozan-4349, Bangladesh

10.47176/jafm.17.12.2664

Abstract

This study explored the aerodynamic aspects of the Hyundai Universe Express Noble bus, a common passenger bus model in Bangladesh, and proposed modifications to improve its performance. The airflow around the bus was analyzed using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. Consequently, areas of high drag and turbulence were identified. These results led to the redesign and testing of several shape modifications for the bus, including adjustments to the roof spoiler, side mirrors, and front grille. After finding the bus model with the lowest drag coefficient, that model is further analyzed to find the aerodynamic effects of side windows on a bus and their impact on fuel efficiency. The aim is to determine how much side windows significantly affect fuel efficiency. The aerodynamic effect with windows open and closed is also evaluated after identifying an appropriate model. Model 1.2 uses 7.72% less fuel than base Model 1.0. Model 1.2 with windows uses 2.5% more fuel than Model 1.2. The study also evaluates the fuel cost per 500 km for all models suggesting that non-ac buses with side windows consume slightly more fuel than AC buses. Changing the bus shape to Model 1.2 will reduce the drag coefficient by 8.67% and fuel consumption by 7.72%. The study offers insights into reducing drag force, minimizing air resistance, enhancing exterior styling, and improving vehicle stability. Furthermore, these findings have practical implications for the transportation industry as they demonstrate the potential for improving the efficiency and sustainability of large vehicles through aerodynamic design.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Computational Fluid Dynamics

References

Abinesh, J., & Arunkumar, J. (2014). CFD analysis of aerodynamic drag reduction and improve fuel economy. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics Research, 3(4), 430-440. www.ijmerr.com

Akmal Bin Nasrul Hisham, A. (2008). Study and Improvement of Drag Coefficient of a Bus. [BSc Thesis, Universiti Teknologi Petronas], Perak.

Alexei Pichardo-Orta, F., Luna, O. A. P., & Cordero, J. R. V. (2022). A frontal air intake may improve the natural ventilation in urban buses. Scientific Reports, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-25868-x

Alonso-Estébanez, A., Del Coz Díaz, J. J., Álvarez Rabanal, F. P., & Pascual-Muñoz, P. (2017). Numerical simulation of bus aerodynamics on several classes of bridge decks. Engineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics, 11(1), 435–449. https://doi.org/10.1080/19942060.2016.1201544

Al-Saadi, A., Al-Farhany, K., Idan Al-Chlaihawi, K. K., Jamshed, W., Eid, M. R., Tag El Din, E. S. M., & Raizah, Z. (2022). Improvement of the aerodynamic behavior of a sport utility vehicle numerically by using some modifications and aerodynamic devices. Scientific Reports, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-24328-w

Amen Mohamed, E., Naeem Radhwi, M., & Farouk AbdelGawad, A. (2015). Eyad amen mohamed, muhammad naeem radhwi, ahmed farouk abdelgawad. computational investigation of aerodynamic characteristics and drag reduction of a bus model. American Journal of Aerospace Engineering. Special Issue: Hands-on Learning Technique for Multidisciplinary Engineering Education, 2(1), 64–73. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajae.s.20150201.16

Arteaga, O., Hernán, M. V., Terán, H., Chacon, S., Lara, M. A., Rocha-Hoyos, J., Arguello, E., & Aguirre, R. P. (2020). Aerodynamic optimization of the body of a bus. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/872/1/012002

Bayindirli, C. (2019). Drag reduction of a bus model by passive flow canal. International Journal of Energy Applications and Technologies, 6(1), 24–30. https://doi.org/10.31593/ijeat.533745

Belachew, B., Nallamothu, R. B., Nallamothu, S. K., & Nallamothu, A. K. (2021). Improving frontal body shape of locally built fsr isuzu bus for reduction of aerodynamic resistance. In K. Jha, P. Gulati & U. K. Tripathi (Eds.), Recent Advances in Sustainable Technologies (pp. 323–338). Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-0976-3_31

Damissie, H. Y., & Ramesh Babu, N. (n.d.). Aerodynamic drag reduction on locally built bus body using computational fluid dynamics (CFD): A case study at bishoftu automotive industry. International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology, 6(11), 276-283. www.ijert.org'

Energy Agency, I. (2021). Review 2021 Assessing the effects of economic recoveries on global energy demand and CO 2 emissions in 2021. Global Energy. www.iea.org/t&c/

Garcia-Ribeiro, D., Bravo-Mosquera, P. D., Ayala-Zuluaga, J. A., Martinez-Castañeda, D. F., Valbuena-Aguilera, J. S., Cerón-Muñoz, H. D., & Vaca-Rios, J. J. (2023). Drag reduction of a commercial bus with add-on aerodynamic devices. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part D: Journal of Automobile Engineering, 237(7), 1623–1636. https://doi.org/10.1177/09544070221098209

Gohari, M., Norozi, R., & Aghdam, A. H. (2022). Evaluation and optimization of the aerodynamic noise reduction of vehicle side view mirrors: experimental and numerical study. HighTech and Innovation Journal, 3(1), 73–84. https://doi.org/10.28991/HIJ-2022-03-01-08

Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Ministry of Communications, Roads and Railways Division (1999) Roads in Bangladesh The Next Millennium. https://www.rhd.govt.bd

Government of The People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, Road Transport and Highways Division. (2016). Regional Road Connectivity Bangladesh Perspective. https://www.rhd.govt.bd

Hucho, W. H., & Sovran, G. (1993). Aerodynamics of road vehicles. Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics, 25, 485-537. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.fl.25.010193.002413

Ince, I. T. (2010). Aerodynamic analysis of GTD model administrative service vehicle [PhD Thesis, Gazi University Institute of Science], Ankara.

Jadhav, C. R., & Chorage, R. P. (2020). Modification in commercial bus model to overcome aerodynamic drag effect by using CFD analysis. Results in Engineering, 6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2019.100091

Marais, C., Holdack-Janssena, H., & van Niekerkb, T. (2010). Fuel consumption for conventional and electrically driven ac compressors. R & D Journal of the South African Institution of Mechanical Engineering, 26, 21-26. http://www.saimeche.org.za

Mezarciöz, S. (2010). Aerodynamics of a model bus [MSc Thesis, Çukurova University Institute of Natural and Applied Sciences], Adana

Mukut, A. N. M. M. I., & Abedin, M. Z. (2019). Review on aerodynamic drag reduction of vehicles. International Journal of Engineering Materials and Manufacture, 4(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.26776/ijemm.04.01.2019.01

Muthuvel, A., Murthi, M. K., Sachin N P, Koshy, V. M., Sakthi, S., & Selvakumar, E. (2013). Aerodynamic exterior body design of bus. International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, 4(7). http://www.ijser.org

Nikam, K. C., & Borse, S. L. (2014). Study of Air Flow Through a Open Windows Bus Using OpenFOAM. International Journal of Fluids Engineering 6(1), 54-64. http://www.irphouse.com

Oforji, P. I., Mba, E. J., & Okeke, F. O. (2023). The effects of rhythm on building openings and fenestrations on airflow pattern in tropical low-rise residential buildings. Civil Engineering Journal (Iran), 9(8), 2062–2084. https://doi.org/10.28991/CEJ-2023-09-08-016

Pesaran, A. A., Parent, Y. O., & Bharathan, D. (1992). Non-CFC air conditioning for transit buses. SAE Technical Paper 922459. https://doi.org/10.4271/922459

Pfeiffer, I. F., & Wriggers, I. P. (n.d.). lecture notes in applied and computational mechanics. Series Editors.

Rashwan, A. (2019). Topology optimization and rim design. International Journal of Engineering and Management Sciences (IJEMS), 4(4). https://doi.org/10.21791/IJEMS.2019.4.10

Raveendran, A., Sridhara, S. N., Rakesh, D., & Shankapal, S. R. (2009). Exterior styling of an intercity transport bus for improved aerodynamic performance. SAE Technical Paper 2009-28-0060. https://doi.org/10.4271/2009-28-0060

Shekar, V. T., Thuraimoni, A., Reddy, S., & Cherukuri, A. (2014). A holistic approach to aerodynamics of intercity and interurban buses. SAE Technical Papers, 1. https://doi.org/10.4271/2014-01-0581

Tefera, A., Bekele, A., & Pandey, V. (2023). Investigating the aerodynamic effect of rooftop cargo compartment - a case of modified intercity bus. Engineering Research Express, 5(3). https://doi.org/10.1088/2631-8695/acf54a

Thomas, M., Sharma, R. N., & Kilduff, M. (2006). Aerodynamic Effects of Different Ventilation Methods on Buses. In Fourth International Symposium on Computational Wind Engineering (CWE), Yokohama. https://iawe.org'

Thorat, S., Amba, G., & Rao, P. (2011). Computational analysis of intercity bus with improved aesthetics and aerodynamic performance on Indian roads. International Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology, 2(3),103-109. E-ISSN 0976-3945.

Ulum, M. S., Arminda, W., Kamaruddin, M., & Satria, W. D. (2023). Ventilation performance of air duct in double loaded corridor building: a case study. Civil Engineering Journal. 9(10), 2445-2455. https://civilica.com/doc/1962978

Vinayagam, P., Rajadurai, M., Balakrishnan, K., & Priya, G. M. (2017). Design modification on indian road vehicles to reduce aerodynamic drag. International Journal of Advanced Engineering, Management and Science, 3(8), 850–854. https://doi.org/10.24001/ijaems.3.8.6

Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program (2020). Facts about Oil. Energy Resource Fact Sheets. http://keepprogram.org

Wood, R., & Bauer, S. (2003). Simple and low-cost aerodynamic drag reduction devices for tractor-trailer trucks. SAE Technical Paper 2003-01-3377, https://doi.org/10.4271/2003-01-3377

Yelmule, M. M., Kale, S. R., & Veeravalli, S. V. (2009). Aerodynamics of a bus with open windows. International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 16(4), 459-488. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJHVS.2009.027415

Yudianto, A., Adiyasa, I. W., & Yudantoko, A. (2021). Aerodynamics of bus platooning under crosswind. Automotive Experiences, 4(3), 119–130. https://doi.org/10.31603/ae.5298

Zhang, S., Wu, Y., Liu, H., Huang, R., Yang, L., Li, Z., Fu, L., & Hao, J. (2014). Real-world fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of urban public buses in Beijing. Applied Energy, 113, 1645–1655. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2013.09.017

Zulkifli, A. A., Dahlan, A. A., Zulkifli, A. H., Nasution, H., Aziz, A. A., Perang, M. R. M., Jamil, H. M., & Misseri, M. N. (2015). Impact of the electric compressor for automotive air conditioning system on fuel consumption and performance analysis. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/100/1/012028