Without a load on board, a container chassis is exposed to the wind almost like an open cage; the different placements of 20- and 40-foot containers create a different aerodynamic profile on every trip. This variability prevents the standard solutions developed for box trailers from being copied directly.
Proven Methods
- Folding side panels: Systems that enclose the chassis frame and work even without a container
- Gap management: Bridging the opening between two short containers with a deflector
- Tractor matching: Aligning the cab spoiler height with the container height
- Rear edge treatment: Lightweight panel solutions that can be fitted to the rear edge of the last container
The Reality of Empty Trips
Field research shows that container chassis spend a significant share of their trips empty or partially loaded, which increases the share of aerodynamic solutions that work in the empty configuration in the total gain. In port-rotation-heavy, low-speed operations the payback period lengthens, while on long-distance intermodal routes the investment amortises quickly. The decision should rest on the fleet's actual speed-distance profile.
References
- Durbin, T. D., Johnson, K. C., Jung, H. & Miller, J. W. (2021). Characterizing non-box trailer activity and aerodynamic devices for greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 98, 102763. DOI: 10.1016/j.trd.2021.102763
- Van Raemdonck, G. M. R. & Urila, I. (2019). A Study in Options to Improve Aerodynamic Profile of Heavy-Duty Vehicles in Europe. Sustainability, 11(19), 5519. DOI: 10.3390/su11195519