Optimal tankningsplan för en förbestämd rutt

Sammanfattning: This study examines the viability of using a refueling plan, optimized to minimize fuelexpenses, for a long haul semi trailer truck. By refuelling at cheap gas stations andrefuel less, more often, the weight of the fuel being transported along with the truck canbe kept to a minimum, thus keeping the fuel consumption down. Previous work in thisarea has failed to consider the varying weight contribution of the fuel. In the currentstudy, when the optimized refueling strategy is calculated, the weight of the fuel istaken into consideration which leads to more frequent stops but also a lower fuelconsumption. To test this strategy, a fuel consumption model was made and testedalongside a dynamic programming algorithm. The truck runs through a recorded drivecycle which contains data used for calculating the fuel consumption. The dynamicprogramming algorithm decides whether or not to refuel at a specific gas stationdepending on the price at that station and the distance to the upcoming stations. Theresults of this study are mixed. Although a small amount of both money and fuel can besaved in many cases, the cost in time and inconvenience to stop more often makes thepracticality of such a fuel plan strategy questionable.