optiTruck

2014 – 2020 Horizon 2020

Trasporto intermodale, ottimizzazione del consumo del carburante

The optiTruck project involves many disciplines and requires interdisciplinary team work. Big Data analytics, cloud computing, data security, predictive algorithms, electronic systems, embedded software systems, engine and after-treatment systems modelling, vehicle modelling are some of the disciplines that will be used in the project. The effective integration of relevant disciplines will lead to the development of a successful prototype to demonstrate a total of 21.6% of fuel reduction while meeting the EURO VI emission constraints.

10 innovative powertrain control elements form the skeleton of the optiTruck project concept:

  1. Optimisation of powertrain control and calibration according to real world driving behaviour

  2. Engine control optimisation using predictive and real time model based control approaches

  3. Adaptation to dynamic changes in vehicle load and aerodynamic forces

  4. Optimised after-treatment controls

  5. Predictive management and control of auxiliary systems

  6. Predictive management of cooling system
  7. Energy flow operating mode coordinator
  8. Driving patterns of surrounding vehicles

  9. Driver support information system (ecoNavigator or ecoDriving for trucks)

  10. Definition of the transport mission and initial calibration of optimum points

  11. The combination of the innovation elements will bring a total fuel consumption reduction of 21.6%.

The optiTruck project will develop an intelligent and predictive powertrain control system. The system will utilise the information provided by new generation navigation systems and big data analytics such as predictive traffic and weather conditions, road topography and road network and information about transport mission to develop a strategy for the best route and the best velocity profile for fuel consumption optimisation. The developed strategy will be optimised dynamically in real road conditions in real time using the dynamic traffic and weather information and surrounding vehicle information. The global optimiser, using a predictive model based control system will realise a minimum of 20% fuel consumption reduction while optimising also the consumption of other consumables related to emission control on a typical transport mission without exceeding EURO VI emission level.

The goal of optiTruck is to bring together the most advanced technologies from powertrain control and intelligent transport systems in order to achieve a global optimum for consumption of fuel (at least 20% reduction) as well as other energy sources and consumables while achieving Euro VI emission standards for heavy duty road haulage (40t).

The optiTruck project runs from September 2016 to August 2019. It is a co-funded by the Horizon 2020 Programme of the European Union.

  1. Develop demonstrators to be tested in real environment: i.e. trucks equipped with real-time emission monitoring connected together with other sensors or data sources to the powertrain control unit of the truck for further processing (data fusion/predictive module) (to be on-line with Euro VI)

  2. Develop predictive intelligent modules based on predictive navigation and other environmental data

  3. Develop software for the fusion and the optimisation of engine calibration mapping and powertrain control

  4. Carry out real-environment trials with two demonstrators… a. One truck equipped with the current state-of-the-art techniques to collect the consumptions of fuel and other consumables to be used as the baseline data; b. One truck equipped with the proposed system to demonstrate on real road the reduction of fuel and emissions under different transport missions.

  5. Undertake validation and impact assessment to show the minimum 20% fuel reduction

  6. Develop strategies for larger deployment of the proposed system within and beyond the project

https://optitruck.eu/