Safe Distance Drafting

What is it about?

A box truck was tested at highway speeds, using cruise control, when trailing another box truck at far distances. The results showed significant differences in the air velocity directly in front of the box truck when trailing the other box truck. The fuel economy also showed significant increases. The significant reduction in the flow velocity in front of the trailing truck showed that the leading truck influenced the flow field of the trailing truck at all the trailing distances tested and therefore influenced the change in the fuel economy.

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Why is it important?

The significant increase in fuel economy at the farthest trailing truck distance is of particular interest since this is considered a safe distance by the US Fire Administration for the trailing truck to follow the leading truck at highway speeds.