Influence of Horizontal Curve Radius on Vehicle Fuel Consumption and Pollutant Emissions on Tw o-Lane Highways

Authors

TU Shengwen, School of Materials and Architectural Engineering , Guizhou Normal University , Guiyang , Guizhou 550025 , ChinaFollow
LEI Meimei, School of Materials and Architectural Engineering , Guizhou Normal University , Guiyang , Guizhou 550025 , China
GUO Wenyu, School of Materials and Architectural Engineering , Guizhou Normal University , Guiyang , Guizhou 550025 , China

Abstract

To investigate the influence of horizontal curve radius on vehicle fuel consumption and pollutant emissions on two-lane highways,this study developed a model based on running speed theory,vehicle driving dynamics,and a fuel consumption and emission analysis system.Fuel consumption and emissions of CO2,CO,HC,and NOx were calculated for a passenger car traveling along horizontal curves under three design speeds:40 km/h,60 km/h,and 80 km/h.The results show that the horizontal curve radius has a significant effect on vehicle fuel consumption and pollutant emissions.The trends of fuel consumption,CO2,and NOx emissions vary consistently with curve radius,while CO and HC emissions follow a similar but different trend.At the three design speeds,the maximum values of fuel consumption,CO2,and NOx emissions occur at radii of 80 m,125 m,and 450‒700 m,respectively.The maximum CO and HC emissions occur at the minimum allowable curve radius corresponding to each design speed.The lowest values of fuel consumption and all four pollutant emissions are observed at or beyond the critical curve radius where the vehicle ’s mid-curve speed reaches the desired operating speed.In addition,changes in the curve radius have the greatest impact on CO emissions,while their influence on fuel consumption,CO2,and NOx emissions is relatively smaller.

Publication Date

8-15-2025

DOI

10.14048/j.issn.1671-2579.2025.04.028

First Page

226

Last Page

232

Submission Date

August 2025

Recommended Citation

Shengwen, TU; Meimei, LEI; and Wenyu, GUO (2025) "Influence of Horizontal Curve Radius on Vehicle Fuel Consumption and Pollutant Emissions on Tw o-Lane Highways," Journal of China & Foreign Highway: Vol. 45: Iss. 4, Article 28.
DOI: 10.14048/j.issn.1671-2579.2025.04.028
Available at: https://zwgl1980.csust.edu.cn/journal/vol45/iss4/28

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