The analysis of the operating conditions of a heavy-duty engine of a vehicle designated for timber transport in terms of compliance with the RDE procedures

According to the data provided by Polish Central Statistical Office, the years 2000–2020 have seen a general increase in the amount of extracted timber reaching 43%. The process of obtainment and transport of timber has many stages involving multiple vehicles and machines. The prevailing type of machinery are HDVs (heavy-duty vehicles). Their application is dictated by the fact that high tonnage-rated vehicles are characterized by the greatest efficiency. The vehicles from this group are homologated under laboratory and actual traffic conditions. It is noteworthy that the transport process of timber takes place under extremely varied conditions – paved urban and rural roads a well as unpaved forest tracks. This renders the mode of operation non-compliant with the conditions set forth in the UE 582/2011 standard. Therefore, the authors decided to carry out an analysis of the operating conditions of a vehicle fitted with an HD engine used in the process of timber transport in terms of its compliance with the RDE (Real Driving Emissions) procedures. The analysis was performed based on investigations carried out under actual traffic conditions with the use of the PEMS equipment. The research object was a tractor-trailer fitted with removable stanchions and a crane used for timber handling. The paper presents, inter alia, the engine operating time share characteristics as a function of engine load and speed. The authors also compared the real-world engine operating conditions with the assumptions of the RDE procedures.