Con-Way Limit Speed on Trucks to Conserve Fuel
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 03.14.08
Our suggestion that America should bring back the 55mph speed limit to conserve fuel was met with derision from many quarters, and the argument for a universal 30 mph a limit was apparently in danger of discrediting “ the entire pro-environmental movement by making them look like a bunch of lunatic extremists.” The folks at Con-Way Freight may have been listening though, as they have just announced that they are limiting the speed governors on its vehicles in an effort to reduce its fuel bills. OK, so they are not cutting back to 30, or even 55, but their efforts still look set to make significant savings:
“ The transportation company says it turned back the speed governors on all the vehicles in its fleet, allowing the truck engines to run at 62 miles per hour at most instead of the previous maximum of 65 miles per hour.
Con-way provides less-than-truckload transportation, a service that combines small freight shipments from multiple companies into one. The company estimates it will cut its diesel fuel use by 3.2 million gallons a year and its carbon dioxide emissions by 72 million pounds. Con-way, which provides trucking throughout North America, uses 100 million gallons of gas a year.”
::Con-Way Freight::via GreenBiz::
This goes along with my line of thought. That there should be a national speed limit that is higher than 55 mph, in order to mitigate those bad feelings toward the 55 mph speed limit that still exist.
A 60 mph speed limit or even a 65 mph limit would work much better, and as this shows, save a lot of gas.
As prices for fuel goes up, companies will be making these types of moves to save money, with a side benefit for the environment. If people who care about the environment can show these companies how they can save money, instead of trying to guilt them into helping the environment, we'd all likely be better off. Most companies exist to only make money, and if the people involved don't care about the environment, then we need to take a different approach in getting them to change their behavior. I think that more trucking companies could make moves like this if it offers a cost benefit. Does anybody know anyone in the trucking business?
Want to get people to drive efficient cars now? Impose a speed limit for trucks, suv's and inefficient vehicles of 55 or 65 mph, and a speed limit of 75 for aerodynamic, efficient machines that are capable of reasonable economy at higher speed, like many sports cars already are.
Fast, efficient certification gets you a green sticker on your license plate. Maybe your own lane too? Ban non efficient certified cars/trucks/suv's from extended driving time in the left lane, just allow them to pass only on that lane.
All of a sudden a small, efficient car is a status symbol. But that would require a politician with balls, and we know there aren't any out there.
I can already hear the CB chatter now. "What is the roadblock up ahead, A Schnieder truck?"
"Nope, a Con-In-The-Way rig."
I feel sorry for the company drivers that get stuck in these rigs. They are going to catch a lot of hell from motorists for slowing down traffic. Hopeufully the company will spring for a sign on the trailers that says, "It isn't our driver's fault we're slow, it is ours - The Management"
-Lego
"It isn't our driver's fault we're slow, it is ours - The Management"
^^^ I think I was a bit slow when I typed that, sorry.
"It isn't our driver's fault that they're slow, it's ours - The Management"
-Lego
ConWay is the pioneer here, and having to do our small biz logistics, if their rates are competitive, I will always give them the route orders!
So truckers get paid by the mile, yet they have to go slower than the speed limit?!
There is already a shortage of truckers according to some, and this will only make it worse.
Trucks in the UK have ben limited to 56mph for some time now. It's a more efficient speed for a truck, but there is a mismatch with the 80-90mph average of everyone else on the motorway....so cars basically never use the inside lane
Cars transmissions would have to be retuned.
My car at 55mph is a running 3,500 rpm in 4th gear which uses MORE gas vs. 65mph which is 2,000 rpm in 5th gear using less gas.
It probably would save lives though.