Project Summary

Project is to test in simulated real World road conditions the research work conducted by the University of Swansea aerodynamics team on an aerodynamic enhancement for shipping  containers during road movements.  The Aerodynamic package is detachable and can be installed at the Port or could be an attachment to the skeletal trailer and deployed when transporting shipping containers on the road.  The simulations in by the University of Swansea estimated reductions in drag through the devices of  between 5% and 19%.  This work is test in real World conditions expected fuel and emissions savings, capture design changes and patent the final design both in UK and Internationally.

Project Achievements

Three main areas of activities 1. Full size emissions reduction testing in simulated real world driving conditions. The plan is to use the Horiba Mira test track in Warwickshire to test the actual fuel savings obtained. 2. Patent application protection for UK and International markets. Working with patent attorneys to include the design change and answer questions on the design novelty of the examiner. 3. Revise design to allow for single person operator to deploy the device at the port. Include design changes based on feedback from the operator, such as including a hinging mechanism to allow access to the doors for unloading.

Conclusions

The design work and patent applications have been successfully completed. The testing has not yet been completed due to issues encountered when fitting the prototype to the shipping containers. We are awaiting confirmation from our supplier Horiba Mira when they will be able to complete the testing programme. This may still be in September but we have no confirmation, so far. The testing is the critical stage to evaluate the impact of these devices and see if they support the analysis conducted by Swansea University which indicates a positive impact on the fuel efficiency.

Next Steps

We are seeking to complete the testing with Horiba Mira and obtain results to validate the next steps, this is our first priority. Following the successful conclusion of this testing we intend to work with partners such as Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), West Midlands Manufacturing Group (WMG) and the University of Cambridge to develop a full- scale product and test it. We would also engage with industry partners such as Eddie Stobart and Maritime to better understand their operational requirements and feed these into the design process. This will involve running workshops with operators and gathering requirements and constraints, developing the design to account for these changes. In parallel, we would work with the engineering teams at one of the Universities such as Cambridge or Swansea to enhance the aerodynamic performance of the panels to maximise the fuel and emissions reduction. Finally, we will work with groups such as the MTC and WMG to develop the design too ensure it is viable from a manufacturing perspective and can be built at cost point that will achieve high market acceptance. This will bring the product close to the point of production