POSSIBLE WAY OF MEASUREMENT OF VEHICLE PERFORMANCE
USING A METHOD OF FUEL ECONOMY
1Hayatu A.I. and 2Mohammed M.
1Department of Physics, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
2Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
E-mail: hayatuabbaibrahim5@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
This paper studies the measurement of automobile performance on our roads using the method of fuel economy. The study area is the road linking Maiduguri city to Bama town all in Borno State, Nigeria. The emphasis is made on performance of automobile in relation to fuel consumption with fuel economy. Road safety enhancement is also highlighted, as applied to highway schedule. In the highway schedule, the speeds are regulated to be greater than 89km/h. The other main schedule is referred to as the urban schedule of which speeds are less than 89km/h. Two particular methods (by two groups of physicists) were first identified for measurement of vehicle performance. For reasons of accuracy, one of them was decided for the current study area covering a distance of sixty-six kilometres (66km). Three samples of vehicles namely, Golf II, Hiace II and 505 Station Wagon were chosen because the 1985 models were found to be the commonest. At one time during the study, the preferred method had to be verified using the 1985 manufactured Golf II vehicle in relation to variation of number of passengers. Ageing conditions of the vehicles affected the results. Furthermore, when global averages of the samples were analysed except for small deviation, the method verified well. Associated with fuel consumption and fuel economy are the energy to move the vehicles and the power to overcome air resistance in the route of 66km.Thus, the fuel consumption of 505 Peugeot Station Wagon is the highest then followed by that of Hiace II and lastly the value for Golf II. Nevertheless, by applying fuel consumption method, the purpose of this work is to bring awareness, facts and interest towards the conservation of energy resources in relation to vehicles plying our roads with optimal fuel economy.