OTTAWA — The topic of how high diesel prices and increased regulation of greenhouse gas emissions for heavy-duty vehicles is promoting increased adoption rates of aerodynamic drag-reduction technologies for tractor-trailer combinations will be the focus of a webinar next month from SmartWay Canada.

Dr. Brian McAuliffe, research officer for the Aerodynamics Laboratory of the National Research Council Canada and leader of the Enhanced Aerodynamic Performance project will give a presentation on the results of a study on the topic.

He will also discuss some of the most promising ways to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from tractor-trailer combinations using aerodynamic technologies.

Recently, the National Research Council of Canada, in partnership with Transport Canada and Environment Canada, undertook an advanced wind-tunnel test program to evaluate the aerodynamic performance of current and emerging drag-reduction technologies for tractor-trailer combinations.

Reducing the aerodynamic drag associated with dry-van trailers was the primary focus of the study. However, some operational considerations such as changes to the tractor-trailer-gap width and the influence of different tractor and trailer heights were also evaluated.

The webinar is scheduled for Sept 9 at 1:30 p.m., Eastern time.

For more information or to register, e-mail smartway.canada@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca or call 1-855-322-1564.

SmartWay is a collaboration designed to help businesses reduce fuel costs while transporting goods in the cleanest most efficient way possible. SmartWay works with freight carriers and shippers committed to benchmarking their operations, tracking their fuel consumption and improving their annual performance.

It was Originally launched by the U.S. Environmental Protection agency in 2004 and has been administered in Canada by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) since 2012.