A team of researchers from Tec de Monterrey monitors trucks and other cargo transport vehicles in Colombia using GPS to assess their emissions and fuel consumption levels. 

This initiative forms part of a labeling program aimed at providing companies and governments in Colombia with information on the energy efficiency of these units. It aims to determine whether these vehicles use fuel efficiently and quantify the CO2 emissions produced during their operations.

Similar to nutritional labels on food products, this program will reveal whether a company’s fleet of cargo transport vehicles operates efficiently in terms of energy (fuel) usage and environmental impact. It will also allow for comparisons between different transport companies, serving as a reference when selecting the most suitable vehicle types based on specific needs.

The program is being developed by professors from the Sustainable Energy Research Group at Tec de Monterrey in collaboration with researchers from the University of Antioquia and Universidad EAFIT in Colombia and the Chilean telemetry company INWAY. The Inter-American Development Bank is providing funding as part of efforts to reduce the environmental impact of the cargo transport industry in the region.

“When examining the composition of the vehicle fleet in cities, these types of vehicles represent less than 10%. However, they operate continuously, resulting in high fuel consumption,” explains José Ignacio Huertas, a research professor at Tec de Monterrey and leader of the Standards for Energy Efficiency and Labeling project for cargo transport vehicles in Colombia.

The labeling program also aims to influence public policies in Colombia to promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions generated by the road freight transport sector.

Energy Efficiency Labeling to Reduce Environmental Impact

Light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks account for 42% of CO2 emissions from all transportation modes in Colombia. Additionally, heavy vehicles running on diesel are responsible for 40% of the national energy consumption.

Energy consumption represents around 50% of operational costs for transport companies. Moreover, these businesses and their clients are subject to government regulations limiting CO2 emissions, prompting them to focus increasingly on reducing this indicator.

Latin American countries like Colombia and Mexico have committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 to 50% by 2030 compared to 2014.

The energy efficiency labeling program aims to drive the road freight sector towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 20%. It provides categorized data that can be used for comparisons and analysis based on various criteria.

The program includes three indicators to assess the emissions of CO2 per ton/kilometer transported by heavy-duty vehicles with a capacity exceeding 3.5 tons:

– The first indicator calculates fuel consumption per region, considering factors such as gradients and altitude, using GPS data to analyze vehicle routes on different road corridors.

– Another indicator focuses on the technology manufacturers use to equip these vehicles. In Latin America, cargo transport predominantly operates with diesel engines and systems.

– The final indicator evaluates company operations and vehicle usage, including logistics, maintenance, and driver programs.

Telemetry: Key to Monitoring Cargo Transport

Currently, researchers monitor over 500 cargo transport units by leveraging GPS and telemetry data from companies like INWAY. Telemetry involves techniques for collecting data remotely through wireless transmission technologies to monitor equipment, operations, and systems.

“Since 2000, it has been mandatory for these vehicles to have a port in their engines that allows us to connect and request information on their consumption, RPMs, or location,” adds Huertas.

Through telemetry, researchers obtain real-time data during normal vehicle operations, storing it in the cloud for accessibility from any internet-connected device. They process this information using mathematical methodologies to assess energy efficiency and emissions.

“We evaluate a vehicle’s performance and compare it against others in terms of efficiency. We then classify them as high, medium, or low performers and assign a label that reflects these values,” Huertas explains.

This initiative also proposes that road freight companies openly share their labeling information on a website or digital platform, making it accessible and understandable to the general public for informed decision-making.

Huertas notes that three Colombian government entities are interested in implementing regulations based on this program. The project, initiated in March of this year, is expected to be completed by late 2024, with progress currently around 50%.

“There is a stark contrast with private or light vehicles; currently, governments lack systems to regulate their operations. They ask us what regulations can be implemented to naturally improve efficiency, reduce fuel consumption, and consequently lower emissions,” concludes Huertas.

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