Green Daily

According to a recent study by Georgia Tech's Research Institute, they've discovered a way to help reduce drag and improve aerodynamics on semi trucks, with a new circulation control system. This system will not affect the cabs of the truck, which have gained all of the attention in previous aerodynamic research studies, but will instead concentrate on improvements to the trailers themselves.

Robert Englar, the principal researcher on the project, reveals a new system they have developed which will help air flow in a steady current around the back of the trailer to lessen the fuel consumption problems that result from drag. This system has shown to reduce drag by 32%, which in turn reduces fuel consumption by 12%. If this system is installed on all heavy trucks throughout the US, it could mean a savings of as much as 2.4 billion gallons of fuel annually. This would not only help truckers who are surely struggling through this crippling fuel crisis, but also hopefully translate to methods of reducing drag in smaller vehicles as well.