10.2190/3WJK-7PQJ-K5NQ-079A 3WJK7PQJK5NQ079A 2 Average Speed Control and Energy Conservation on Limited-Access Highways 13 19 20020509 20020509 20020509 20020509 3WJK7PQJK5NQ079A.pdf http://baywood.metapress.com/link.asp?target=contribution&id=3WJK7PQJK5NQ079A 1 Cynthia M. Bruso J. Richard Shanebrook Mechanical Engineering Department, Union College, Schenectady, New York 12308 <p>A system for average speed control on limited-access highways for the purpose of conserving energy is presented. The system is particularly well-suited for toll roads where times of entry and exit can be recorded and used to determine the average speed maintained by a vehicle between the entry and exit locations. Estimates of the amount of fuel that can be saved by strict adherence to a given speed limit are determined by accounting for the aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance forces that act on a vehicle during constant speed motion. Using available data for average speeds and total mileage travelled on the New York State Thruway, it is estimated that between 12.7 million and 33.7 million gallons of fuel could be saved yearly by Thruway motorists if they all adhered to the national speed limit of 55 mph.</p><p>The paper concludes with a brief discussion of the safety benefits of a system of average speed control. It is anticipated that fewer vehicle accidents would occur due to the smoothing and slowing of the flow of traffic.</p> Anon., <i>RFP No. 60700—Comprehensive Analysis of the 55 MPH Speed Limit</i>, Federal Energy Administration, March 17, 1976. Anon., Enforcing 55-A Slow Arrival, <i>Energy Reporter</i>, Federal Energy Administration, December 1975. S. F. Hoerner, <i>Fluid-Dynamic Drag</i>, Hoerner Fluid Dynamics, Brick Town, New Jersey, p. 12-7, 1965. D. J. Kulash, Forecasting Long-Run Automobile Demand, <i>Strategies for Reducing Gasoline Consumption Through Improved Motor Vehicle Efficiency</i>, Special Report 169, Transportation Research Board, National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D. C, p. 14, 1975. A. French, Transportation Energy Considerations in the Urban Environment, <i>Highways and the Petroleum Problem - Four Papers</i>, U. S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, p. 5, August 1975. T. McCahill, We Test Chevy's Monte Carlo, <i>Mechanix Illustrated, 68</i>, p. 77, December 1972. R. H. Haase and W. H. T. Holden, Performance of Land Transportation Vehicles, <i>Memorandum RM-3966-RC</i> (footnote), The Rand Corp., Santa Monica, California, p. 57, 1964. R. L. Tarozzi, Air Foiled Auto-Aerodynamics and the Art of Flying on the Ground, <i>Hot Rod, 29</i>, p. 88, April 1976. Anon., <i>Performance Data for New Passenger Cars and Motorcycles</i>, U. S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Safety Bureau, January 1973. T. Baumeister (ed.), <i>Marks' Mechanical Engineers' Handbook</i>, McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York, p. 9-120, 1958. Anon., <i>27th Annual Report of the New York State Thruway Authority</i>, p. 37, 1976. R. F. Heckard, J. A. Pachuta, and F. A. Haight, <i>Safety Aspects of the National 55 MPH Speed Limit</i> (NTIS Report Number PB-267-989), National Technical Information Service, Springfield, Virginia, pp. 24-27, November 1976. V. L. Tofany, Factors Contributing to the Reduction of Motor Vehicle Fatalities in 1974, <i>Journal of Safety Research, 7</i>, p. 102, September, 1975. Anon., <i>Highway Statistics, 1974</i>, p. 71, (Stock Number 050-001-00107-1), U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. Anon., L. I. Expressway Speeders Beware, <i>New York Times</i>, p. 39, August 22, 1974. Anon., 27,000 Lives Called Saved in 3 Years by Speed Curb, <i>New York Times</i>, p. 26, March 6, 1977.