BTAC trials to run again in June or July 28 December 2009

BTAC (the British Transport Advisory Consortium, which came out of the brewery industry) says it expects to run more technical trials on trucks over a weekend in June or July 2010, following last year's break.

Speaking at the FTA (Freight Transport Association ) Fleet Engineer seminar at Ascot last month, the consortium's David Payne said the tests would, as usual, be held at MIRA's proving ground near Nuneaton.

"We expect to run 16 or 18 tests over the weekend," said Payne, adding that charges are £1,500 for a single test, or £2,000 for multiple tests, compared to MIRA's own £3,000—9,000 typical costs "but you have to work alongside the testing team".

BTAC's track record has been impressive – the organisation being credited with the trials that led to the now Somerfield curve, initially on that retail distribution company's high-mileage Volvo tractor fleet, and responsible for 8% fuel savings.

Other BTAC trials demonstrated that: sub 10% is the threshold for fuel economy and wear problems on reduced tyre pressures; road speed limiters deliver a 6% fuel saving; and reduced cab-to-trailer gaps can achieve a 7% saving.

BTAC users to date have included Daf, Volvo, DHL, Lubrizol, Carlsberg, Parcel force and Denby Transport.

Author
Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Horiba MIRA Ltd

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