Page 43 - Technology Roadmap Transportation

TECHNOLOGY ROADMAP: TRANSPORTATION

are introduced in Indian market. Automatic the increased use of Al in vehicle weight
transmission with higher gear ratios and more reduction applications such as material cost,
sophisticated electronic controls are crucial for room temperature formability, and limitations
improving the fuel economy. Adding additional in existing manufacturing infrastructure.
gears help keep the engine operation in a speed Conventional iron and steel alloys are
range, where it delivers superior performance prominent in existing vehicle architectures,
at the best economy. An 8-speed automatic making upto >70% of the weight of a vehicle.
transmission can deliver upto 11% better Despite relatively high density of iron based
fuel economy compared to a conventional materials, the exceptional strength and
6-speed transmission, depending on engine, ductility of advanced steels offers potential for
vehicle and drive-axle gearing. The suspension efficient structural designs and reduced weight.
system of a vehicle consists of springs, shock Application of a new generation of advanced
absorbers and linkages. These systems together high strength steels (AHSS) has the potential to
connect the vehicle to its wheels. However reduce component weight by >25%, particularly
the main function of the suspension system in strength limited designs.
remains to minimize jerks and to provide a
smooth journey to its occupants. Suspension (vi) Design and Aerodynamics: Vehicle design
system technologies have also evolved in last and aerodynamics include three interacting
few decades and new generation technology flow fields namely: flow past vehicle body,
is deployed to improve drive comfort to the flow past vehicle components (wheels, heat
vehicle occupants. exchanger, brakes and wind-shield) and flows
in the passenger compartment. Aerodynamics
(v) Materials: Changes in material selection and of commercial vehicles has evolved over
forming processes were aimed at producing many years. Basic objectives of streamlined
light weight, safer and greener vehicles, which body include reduction of fuel consumption,
require lesser fuel for propulsion. Advanced, more favourable comfort characteristics and
light weight, strong materials used in the vehicle improvements in driving characteristics such as
body are the important ones among these stability, handling, and traffic safety.
materials. They help in weight reduction of the
vehicle and enhance passenger safety. Carbon (vii) Control and Electronics: Today’s cars contain
fiber reinforced polymer composites have the more computer chips and lines of software
potential to reduce component weight by code than the first vehicles launched into space.
> 60% however there are significant technical Increasing electronics, software, controls, and
and cost barriers to their widespread technology content enables many fuel-saving
introduction in vehicles. Application of technologies as well navigation assistance to
aluminium within automotive design include reduce idle time and traffic congestion. Beside
hoods and panels, power-train components, these sensors, actuators and controls are used
and even entire vehicle body-in-white (BIW) to optimize vehicle performance for best fuel
structures. There are several barriers to economy. This category includes innovations

FIG 1.11
TREND AND FORECAST OF BILLION PASSENGER KILOMETRE (BPKM)
AND BILLION TONNE KILOMETRE (BTKM) IN INDIA.[14]
CAGR 9.6%

12000 CAGR 10% 11421 1800 1700
1600
10000 1400
8150 1200 1250
IN BPKM 6000 IN BTKM 1000 CAGR 9.1%
8000
800
4000 3469.3 600
400
2000 200 6
0 0
2004-05 2012-13 2016-17 1950-51 2011-12 2016-17

ROADWAYS 41