DOT HS 812 159 June 2015 Review and Analysis of Potential Safety Impacts of and Regulatory Barriers to Fuel Efficiency Technologies and Alternative Fuels In Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles DISCLAIMER This publication is distributed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in the interest of information exchange. The opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Department of Transportation or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The content is not intended to be used for determination of federal grant programs. The United States Government assumes no liability for its contents or use thereof. If trade or manufacturers’ names or products are mentioned, it is because they are considered essential to the object of the publication and should not be construed as an endorsement. The United States Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Suggested APA Format Citation: Brecher, A., Epstein, A. K., & Breck, A. (2015, June). Review and analysis of potential safety impacts of and regulatory barriers to fuel efficiency technologies and alternative fuels in medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. (Report No. DOT HS 812 159). Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. TECHNICAL REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE 1. Report No. 2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient's Catalog No. DOT HS 812 159 4. Title and Subtitle 5. Report Date Review and Analysis of Potential Safety Impacts of and Regulatory June 2015 Barriers to Fuel Efficiency Technologies and Alternative Fuels in 6. Performing Organization Code Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles 7. Author(s) 8. Performing Organization Report No. Aviva Brecher, Alexander K. Epstein, & Andrew Breck DOT-VNTSC-NHTSA- 15-09 9. Performing Organization Name and Address 10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS) U.S. Department of Transportation Research and Innovative Technology Administration 11. Contract or Grant No. John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center Intra-Agency Agreement Cambridge, MA 02142 HS9AA1 12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address 13. Type of Report and Period Covered National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Technical Report 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE. 14. Sponsoring Agency Code Washington, DC 20590 NHTSA/NVS-132 15. Supplementary Notes Prepared for: James MacIsaac - Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) NHTSA Fuel Economy Division 16. Abstract This report summarizes a safety analysis of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MD/HDVs) equipped with fuel efficiency (FE) technologies and/or using alternative fuels (natural gas-CNG and LNG, propane, biodiesel and power train electrification). The study included a comprehensive literature review, complemented with inputs from subject matter experts (SMEs), and a scenario-based hazard analysis. Specific FE technologies examined include: Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and telematics, speed limiters, idle reduction devices, tire technologies (single-wide tires, tire pressure monitoring systems-TPMS and Automated Tire Inflation Systems-ATIS), aerodynamic components, long combination vehicles (LCVs) and lightweighting materials. Federal and State safety regulations, and voluntary technical standards affecting MD/HDV fleet adoption of FE technologies and alternative fuels were discussed, and potential regulatory barriers identified. The findings suggest that the potential safety hazards identified can be prevented or mitigated by complying with safety regulations and voluntary standards and industry best practices. The study did not identify any major regulatory barriers to rapid adoption of FE technologies and alternative fuels by the MD/HDV fleet. Note: This report was subjected to external peer review per OMB guidelines for a Highly Influential Scientific Assessment (HISA). Materials from the peer review process are publicly available in accompanying documents. 17. Key Words 18. Distribution Statement Safety impacts, fuel Efficiency technologies; alternative Document is available to the public fuels; Medium and Heavy-duty Vehicles (MD/HDVs); from the National Technical truck fleet; bus fleet; idle reduction; intelligent Information Service www.ntis.gov transportation systems (ITS); aerodynamics; tire technologies; speed limiters; Long combination vehicles (LCV); lightweighting materials; hazard scenarios; subject matter experts (SMEs); crash rates; driver training; scenario hazard analysis. 19. Security Classif. (of this report) 20. Security Classif. (of this page) 21. No. of Pages 22. Price Unclassified Unclassified 193 Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72) Reproduction of completed page authorized i TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables ................................................................................................................................. vi List of Figures ............................................................................................................................... vii Acronyms and Selected Glossary ................................................................................................ viii Acknowledgments.......................................................................................................................... xi Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................ 1 1 Introduction: Background and Objectives ............................................................................... 6 1.1 Safety Performance of the National Medium Duty/Heavy-Duty Vehicle Fleet and Technical Approach ........................................................................................................ 6 1.2 National Heavy-Duty Fleet Crash Statistics and Trends ................................................ 9 2 Review of Literature on Adoption of FE Technology Clusters, Alternative Fuels, and Operational Safety of MD/HDV Fleets ................................................................................. 16 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 16 2.2 Adoption of Alternative Clean Fuels ............................................................................ 16 2.2.1 Natural Gas Benefits and Safety Issues .................................................................. 16 2.2.1.1 Penetration/Adoption ....................................................................................... 17 2.2.1.2 Benefits ............................................................................................................ 21 2.2.1.3 Safety Considerations of CNG-Fueled MD/HDVs .......................................... 22 2.2.1.4 Safety Considerations for LNG-Fueled Vehicles ............................................ 28 2.2.1.5 Findings and Conclusions ................................................................................ 31 2.2.2 Biodiesel ................................................................................................................. 33 2.2.2.1 Penetration/Adoption ....................................................................................... 33 2.2.2.2 Benefits ............................................................................................................ 34 2.2.2.3 Safety Considerations ...................................................................................... 35 2.2.2.4 Findings and Conclusions ................................................................................ 36 2.2.3 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Propane) ....................................................................... 36 2.2.3.1 Penetration/Adoption ....................................................................................... 37 2.2.3.2 Benefits ............................................................................................................ 38 2.2.3.3 Safety Considerations ...................................................................................... 39 2.2.3.4 Conclusions and Recommendations ................................................................ 40 2.3 Drivetrain Hybridization and Electrification ................................................................ 41 2.3.1 Penetration/Adoption .............................................................................................. 43 2.3.2 Benefits ................................................................................................................... 45 2.3.3 Safety Considerations ............................................................................................. 47 2.3.4 Findings and Conclusions ....................................................................................... 51 2.4 ITS and Telematics for Fuel Efficiency and Operational Safety .................................. 51 ii 2.4.1 Driver and Vehicle Monitoring .............................................................................. 51 2.4.1.1 Penetration/Adoption ....................................................................................... 52 2.4.1.2 Benefits ............................................................................................................ 53 2.4.1.3 Safety Considerations ...................................................................................... 53 2.4.1.4 Findings and Conclusions ................................................................................ 54 2.5 FE Technologies Affecting