CEN SEP
12
CONSTRUCTION
TECHNOLOGY
FUEL EFFICIENCY IS A TOP PRIORITY
for construction equipment owners. Areas
of development are machine-to-machine (M2M) and machine-to-infrastructure (M2I)
communication. “One of the advanced engineering projects we’re working on is wireless
machine communication technology,” says Peter Wallin, Research Co-ordinator at Volvo CE.
“By increasing machine intelligence and making it possible for machines to ‘talk’ to each
other, we can reduce operational costs through improved fuel efficiency, while increasing
safety and maintaining productivity.”
Fleet optimisation
Volvo CE has conducted tests to calculate the potential fuel savings M2M communication
could bring to articulated haulers working in the quarry and aggregates segment. The project
monitored a hauler, loaded with rocks from an excavator, travelling to the crushing site. The
machine was fitted with an internal measurement system to verify fuel consumption. The
hauler was operated by different drivers, at both constant and varied speeds, with different
amounts of idle time and both with and without stops along the way. Tests showed that when
the hauler travelled faster than necessary to the crusher, and as a result had to wait before
unloading, fuel consumption was up to 30% higher compared to when the hauler travelled at
a constant speed and arrived at the optimum moment.
“In conjunction with the tests carried out in Braås, Sweden, we’ve visited customer sites
and monitored how the machines are used,” says Peter. “Today sites aren’t optimised and
usually there isn’t a structure stating when the haulers should arrive at the crusher. Often the
machines are driven at maximum speed but when you look at the amount of idle time it’s
clear that this isn’t always necessary. When the machines are stationary, waiting to unload,
they’re wasting time and money. By using M2M communication the operator would know
exactly when to arrive at the crusher and what speed to travel at to get there. Through
reducing machine speed and idle time, we are reducing fuel consumption and wear and tear
on the machine, as well as facilitating an efficient flow of equipment.”
Looking to the future
“The next stage of the project will be to provide the operator with information – such as target
speed and arrival time – inside the cab,” Peter continues. “This live information will support and
guide operators to the most fuel efficient operation and could be presented in future concepts
like heads-up displays and other innovative approaches. If all the equipment on a job site was
fitted with this technology, the machines could be linked to a central control point – such as a
tablet device used by the site manager to optimise the efficiency of the fleet. The results from
this project will determine if, when and how, this technology will reach the market.”
Active safety
“An undoubted advantage of increased machine intelligence is the ability to introduce active
safety,” he concludes. “Volvo has set itself the target of reducing accidents relating to its
equipment to zero – and future technology like M2M communication will play a major part in
achieving this ambition. For example, if we combined M2M communication technology with
an automatic braking system it would prevent the possibility of a collision between two Volvo
machines – and by equipping site workers with a wireless beamer or a transmitter, machines
could also detect and avoid humans in the vicinity.”
Unlocking fuel efficiency
Volvo Construction
Equipment is developing
Intelligent Transport
Systems (ITS) which
could reduce fuel
consumption, by up
to 30% in certain
applications, and
increase safety.
By using M2M
communication the
operator would know
exactly when to arrive
at the crusher and
what speed to travel
at to get there.
