subject: The Importance And Role Of Semi-trucks In Society [print this page] With the absence of railway tracks in every location, reaching every imaginable destination, it is up to semi-trucks to delivery freight from one destination to another. It is often the case whereby a train is used to deliver the items over a long distance, as trains tend to be 70% more efficient than semi-trucks, and then semi-trucks are used to deliver the freight to the precise intended destination.
Semi-trucks play a pivotal role in the American economy. They provide lots of opportunities for businesses to transport the freight to various destinations; they provide valuable revenue to the gas companies, and when a semi-truck isn't in operation, it is often being mended by mechanics. If for some unexpected and unforeseen reason semi-trucks disappeared, the American economy would be in sorts of trouble. It is quite unimaginable how much an important role semi-trucks play in our society.
There are an estimated 5.5 million commercial semi-trucks in operation according to the Federal Highway Administration, conducted in 2008. As a country, we tend to use more diesel than any other country, with the whole of Europe using slightly more than the US alone, and Canada using a fraction the amount of diesel. Even Australia, with its long and illustrious history of using semi-trucks to deliver freight across vast amounts of Australian land, doesn't use anywhere close to the diesel that the semi-trucks in the US do.
With the advent of a different way of thinking in terms of caring for our planet, semi-truck companies have recognised this increased compassion, and have sought to improve the efficiency of their semi-trucks. Back in the day, semi-trucks used to achieve anywhere from 2 MPG to 3 MPG, whereas these days, they're able to attain a much improved 7 MPG to 8 MPG. This again adds to the American economy in terms of the inventing of the technology to improve the efficiency, and the companies pouring lots of money into researching any additional benefits in addition to the already known areas of improvement:
Gap enclosures are used to reduce the gap between a semi-truck and its trailer, thus reducing the overall drag of the vehicle. Side skirts can be attached to reduce the airflow underneath the trailer itself, especially in crosswinds, which also increases drag without side skirts attached. Side mirror designs allow the airflow to flow more aerodynamically over the vehicle. Last but certainly not least, boat tails taper the back of the trailer to minimise the wake airflow.
Companies rely heavily on semi-trucks also, since if perishable goods, for instance, are not delivered in a timely manner, then they may be rejected as they may not be able to be sold commercially. This is due to the strict rules that many legislations dictate. Semi-truck companies strive tirelessly to deliver goods on time, and therefore are constantly employing extra drivers to meet the demands of their business. Whilst we may therefore complain about the pollution that semi-trucks emit into the atmosphere, it is important to remember that they are an invaluable source of income for many millions of people in America, both directly and indirectly, and without our added compassion for our planet, semi-trucks companies which continue to research and develop ways in which to reduce omissions, and increase the MPG of their trucks to thus use less diesel.
by: John Dorr
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