March 6, 2015

Test Rig for Commercial Vehicles: Efficient Operation of Air Conditioning Systems



KIT Scientists Develop New Operation Strategies for Efficient Air Conditioning of Vehicles. New Test Rig Saves Time and Costs

Truck drivers are at the wheel for up to ten hours a day. A comfortable climate in the driver’s cab is of decisive importance to the driver’s performance and driving safety. However, air conditioning systems may increase fuel consumption by up to ten percent depending on the type of vehicle, the type of air conditioning system, and the operation conditions. Scientists of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) therefore develop more efficient operation strategies. To test these strategies under realistic conditions with a reasonable time and cost expenditure, they designed a new test rig.