Government of Canada navigation bar

Symbol of the Government of Canada

Primary site navigation bar

Road Sector Case Studies

Below you will find case studies of projects undertaken in the road sector.

Table of contents

Canadian Trucking Alliance
Several add-on technologies (such as low-rolling resistance tires, trailer skirts and speed limiters) were evaluated to determine their economic and environmental impacts as part of the Canadian Trucking Alliance’s envirotruck concept. 



Cascades Transport Inc.
This demonstration project field-tested aerodynamic skirts on trailers to reduce fuel consumption, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and criteria air contaminants (CAC).



Groupe Robert
Vehicle telemetry units provided an enhanced understanding of driver behaviour by Transport Robert and enabled them to develop a training program which led to safety improvements and economical driving practices for participating drivers.



Hybrid Trailer Refrigeration Units
Paradise Island Foods Inc. used hybrid trailer refrigeration units and onboard computer systems to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.



Trucking Fuel-Reduction Measures
Driver training and monitoring with Sensortracs technology allowed Big Freight Systems Inc. to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 980 tonnes.



Effects of Nitrogen Tire Inflation on Canadian Long-haul Trucking
The Drexan Corporation reduced fuel consumption by 6% when it used nitrogen to inflate its semi-trailer tires.



Clean Air Corridor - Enbridge Gas
Enbridge Gas Distribution reduced greenhouse gas emissions by replacing 90% of diesel fuel with natural gas and using high-pressure direct injection technology in heavy-duty diesel trucks.



Demonstration of a Dual-Commodity Log/Chip Trailer for Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions
FPInnovation reconfigured Logging trailers to enable them to carry full payloads on both inbound and outbound trips. Running loaded on a round-trip consumes less fuel per tonne carried and reduces greenhouse gases.



FPInnovation Project on Self-Inflating Tires
FPInnovation looked at the benefits of self-inflating tires to maintain optimum tire pressure that helps reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gases.



Freight Wing Fleet Trial Program on Aerodynamic Fairings
Freight Wing used aerodynamic trailer fairings to reduce fuel consumption by 6.4%.



Testing Novacab truck cab heating and cooling system
Groupe Énerstat Inc. carried out a study involving a one-year assessment of the Novacab integrated climate control system through laboratory and on-road testing, in five long-haul trucks operated by five local trucking companies.



Hbc's Biodiesel Pilot Project
Hudson's Bay Company tested B20 biodiesel in 12 trucks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.



Reducing Fleet Fuel Consumption Through Driver Skills Training and Real-Time Electronic Monitoring
J.D.Smith and Sons Limited carried out a study involving the greatest benefit of Driver Skills Training and real-time monitoring of driver performance. This was seen to be the reduction of idling time resulting in reduced fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.



Truck Auxiliary Power Unit Field Trial
Mechron Power Systems tested auxiliary power units that provided cab heating and cooling for long haul trucks in order to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gases during layovers.



Demonstration Facility for Intermodal Rail Shipping of Food Processing Chemicals
Polymer Distribution Inc. reduced greenhouse gas emissions by using intermodal freight services to ship food grade chemicals.



Installation of Auxiliary Power Units for long-haul trucking
Diesel Services Group designed an auxiliary power unit for trucks in the Canadian winter, in a specialized application, to reduce engine idling and greenhouse gas emissions.



Satellite Tracking to Reduce Truck Idling and Speeding
Sunbury Transport Ltd. used satellite tracking combined with driver training and anti-idling equipment to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions



Date modified:
2011-07-26