Chinese heavy truck industry has witnessed an unprecedentedprosper since 2009, and it has been attracting an increasing number of westernheavy truck companies to conduct business activities. However, differentindustry environment has brought different situation including the government’spolicies and consumers’ buying habits for local companies and foreign competitors.Thus, this study aims to analyze the impact of industry factors in Chinese heavy truck industry by examining a collection of the methodology. Porter diamond model is widely applied to investigate industry’s competitive advantages, butit should be noted that in this research the model is adapted into a new version in light of the necessity of emphasizing Chinese government in businessactivities. Main findings of this study are as follows: (1) research andanalysis factors of impact Chinese heavy truck industry and highlight government’s influence as a significant impact factor through a series ofpolicies; (2) it might be of considerable benefit if foreign heavy truckcorporation can observe the political transformation or policies while setting themarketing strategy in China.

Examensarbetet har gjorts åt Höglunds flak i Säffle och behandlar en ny framstam till timmerlastbilar. En framstam är ett lastskydd som förhindrar stockarna på en timmerlastbil från att tränga in i hytten vid en kollision. Framstammen används även vid lastning som ett mothåll att slå stockarna emot. Kraven på framstammen från företaget är • Lättare konstruktion • Samma utböjning vid slagprov, ytbelastning och böjbelastningsprovning som nuvarande modell • Billigare eller samma pris som föregående modell • Klara proven enligt SS 2563, SS 2564 • Vara estetiskt tilltalande för kund • Anpassningsbar höjd • Om möjligt få så mycket tillverkning som möjligt till den egna verkstaden Arbetet delades in i två delar där en del är att konstruera plåten och hur denna skall styvas till. Den andra är att konstruera staken som håller upp plåten och tar den största delen av slagkraften. På framstamsplåten togs det fram 2 koncept. Bockningskonceptet. Konceptet består av en aluminiumplåt 6082-T6 som bockats till en L-profil runt kanterna för att styva upp plåten Fyrkantsprofil. Detta koncept består av en fyrkantsprofil i aluminium som nitas fast mot plåten. På staken togs det fram tre koncept. Alla tre är beräknade med att vara i samma material ett höghållfast stål vid namn Domex 650 med en sträckgräns på ca 650Mpa.[5] JL-profilen Är en profil som är lätt att tillverka genom bockning och är lätt att fästa in i både plåten och i rambalken. I-profilen I-balken är gjord med en större fläns mot plåten för att underlätta vid infästning och en mindre fläns på andra sidan för att minska vikten. På grund av att detta inte är en original balk så kommer denna modell att strängpressas. W-profilen W- profil som även denna skulle stängpressas och är även lätt att fästa mot plåten. Den har tagits fram med tanken på en T-balk som sedan stadgats upp med två stycken förstyvningar. Fyrkantröret har en lägre vikt på 19 kg i jämförelse med rör- profilen, detta motsvarar en viktbesparing på 55%. I-profilen klarar att ta upp 0,6kJ mer än Z-profilen samtidigt som den är 23 kg och 23% lättare. / The work is done for the company Höglunds flak in Säffle and aims to develop a new front wall to a timber truck. A front wall is what protects the cabin from the logs in case of a collision. The front wall is also used while loading the truck as a loading fixture to beat the logs against. The requirements for the front wall from the company are: • Easier construction • The same deformation at impact testing, surface testing and bending load as the original. • Cheaper or the same price as the previous model • Withstand the standardization SS 2563, SS 2564 • Be attractive to the customer • Customizable height • If possible, get as much production as possible to the own workshop The work was divided into two parts where one is to make the plate and how to make it rigid. The second is the beams which are going to keep up the plate and takes the greater part of the impact force. Two concepts on the front wall plate, both is of the same material 6082-T6. Bending concept. The concept consists of an aluminium plate which is bended to an L-profile around the edges to rigid up the plate. Square concept. This concept consists of a square tube in aluminium which is riveted firmly against the plate. Three concepts on the beams. All three are estimated to be in the same material Domex 650 JL-profile Is a profile that is easy to manufacture by bending and is easy to mount on both the plate and in the frame beams. I-profile The I-beam is made with a larger flange to the plate in order to facilitate the attachment and a small flange on the other side to reduce weight. However, because this is not an original beam it will be manufactured through extrusion. W-profile W-profile is going to be extruded and is also easy to attach to the plate. It has been developed with the idea of a T-beam which then is stated up with two webs. Of the two plate concepts it was the Square concept which was best suited one. The bending concept was not chosen because the material of the plate was for brittle and couldn’t be bent as much as wanted. The analysis of the plate was made according to the standard SS2563, SS 2564 with a pressure of a certain distance from the base. The FEM analysis at the plate shows that there is no residual deformation, which is the same as the original plate. The square pipe has a lower weight with 19 kg which is 55% lighter compared with the circular pipe profile. The profile is able to take up 0,6 kJ more than the Z-profile and 23kg and 23% lighter

Road conditions affect fuel efficiency and vehicle fatigue when driving heavy trucks. Information about traveled road conditions enable optimization of chassis configuration when driving, and logging of vehicle stress. Previous work on this topic focus mainly on tuning of active suspension parameters in the car industry. One conceivable application for heavy trucks is implementation of active chassis level control based on road conditions, with possible improvements in driving economy as result. Another is logging of usage conditions which helps explain vehicle faults caused by abnormal wear. This work examines the possibilities to use already on vehicle sensors for road roughness estimation. It also investigates what requirements existing signals must fulfill to ensure reliable estimates. Two methods for road roughness estimation are proposed using rear axle level sensor and a simple linear suspension system model.

Effective material handling plays a key role in cutting costs. Well-organized material handling can cut production cost by optimizing product transfer paths, decreasing the damage rate and by increasing the utilization of storage space. This report presents the development of an analysis system for StoraEnso Hylte’s paper reel database. The system extracts and classifies key points from the database which are related to material handling; like attributes related to the product (paper reel), forklift truck information and storage cell utilization. The analysis based on paper reels includes the damage rate and transfer paths of paper reels. A mathematical model is also presented, which tells us that the probability of damage per transport is more important than the number of transports for paper reels handling. The effect of decreasing non-optimal transportation (optimize the path) is very small.

Examensarbetet har genomförts på SB Truck AB i Vreta Kloster. Tyngdpunkten i arbetet var att filma tillverkningen av en ståstaplartruck,för att sedan analysera tillverkningsmetoderna och räkna fram den totala tiden för tillverkningen av en typ av truck. I studien ges förslag på förbättringar av tillverkningsmetoderna. Förslagen berör främst huvuddelarna i produktionen som är mast-, chassi- och gaffelvagnstillverkning. De förslag på förändringar som är viktigast är följande: - Kontrollera vilka svetsfogar som verkligen behöver slipas. - Se till att mastbalkarna som köps in håller den tolerans på rakhet som krävs. / This thesis has been carried out at SB Truck AB in Vreta Kloster. The emphasis of the project was to capture the manufacturing of a forklift on tape, to be able to analyse the manufactoring methods and calculate the total time of manufactoring. The project contains suggestions for improvements of the manufactoring methods. The suggestions mainly deals with the vital parts in the production process of the forklift. The most important suggestions are: - Determine which of the weldingjoints that really needs to be grinded. - Make sure that the purchased girders reaches the required tolerance level of straightness.

The growing number of trucks traveling on freeways has caused more traffic congestion and increased the likelihood of truck-related crashes. Many transportation agencies are considering a new concept of truck-only toll (TOT) lanes to provide a more efficient and safer freight transportation system. This research develops a methodology for identifying candidate TOT lanes in the freeway system. The modeling of TOT lanes in different geographic applications includes individual TOT corridors, a regional TOT network, and a statewide TOT network. The criteria employed in a geographic information system (GIS)-based screening process to determine feasible TOT corridors and their boundaries/extents include: freeway level of service, truck volumes, truck percentage of total freeway flow, truck-related crashes, and truckers willingness to pay. The research also presents the process for determining optimum toll rates for TOT lanes. Furthermore, this research addresses issues of assessing the engineering design of TOT lane placement and the performance measures of using either mandatory or voluntary TOT lanes. This research also examines freeway performance under two scenarios -- adding general purpose lanes or building TOT lanes with both mandatory and voluntary use. Finally, this research addresses the strategies for critical issues associated with the planning, design, and operation of TOT lanes and presents TOT planning guidance.

<p>The thesis identifies and discusses the changing structure of international trade and specialization in the industries of cars and heavy trucks. The main contribution of the thesis is that it discusses the patterns from the perspective of the car industry with the similar but in some aspects different industry of heavy trucks as a contrasting example. This method aims at giving more knowledge about the varying challenges that different industries face in a globalized economy. To authors’ knowledge such a direct comparison has not yet been done. Some results presented in the study is that while car producers compete on a global scale the producers of heavy trucks does it on a regional scale. For the OECD 23 car producing countries, this implies competition from producers in countries with low factor input costs. This is probably one of the reasons why OECD 23 car producers have raised the export value or their goods relatively more than the producers of heavy trucks. The thesis also reveals how the patterns of export and specialization have shifted dramatically in both industries.</p>

This paper shows the economic efficiency of allowing longer combination vehicles in Texas. First, an overview of the truck size and weight policies is explained, with an emphasis on those that affect Texas. Next, LCV operations in other countries are described. Then, an LCV scenario for Texas is chosen, with specific routes and vehicle types. Operational costs for these vehicles are calculated on a cost per mile and cost per ton (or cubic yard) mile. The LCV scenario and the current truck base case are analyzed to estimate the number of truck trips, the number of mile, and the cost per mile for the chosen routes. These are then compared to estimate the change if LCVs were allowed in Texas. / text

The project has been done in cooperation with Schenker Åkeri AB in Sweden, Halmstad. The project is based on an inspection made by Arbetsmiljöverket, where they found minor shortcomings with distribution of goods for the employees. The project is an investigation of the drivers’ working environment. Schenker Logistics is one of the world's leading providers of integrated logistics services. Schenker Åkeri AB is a subsidiary to Schenker Logistics and transports 2.4 million tons of goods yearly. The project started with a background study to evaluate drivers working environment. We have studied goods receptions, the working environment, strain injury and injury mechanisms. Methods used was observations, tests, questionnaire surveys and ergonomic and biomechanical calculations. One result of the study is a working model, which gives recommendations for the maximum weight a driver should push and pull. A truck evaluation was done to exam the need for new technical equipment. An ergonomic investigation was done to investigate the drivers’ working tasks. A questionnaire was given to the drivers to evaluate their working environment and tasks. The questionnaire involved questions about stress, handling of goods and technical equipment. Together with Schenker Åkeri AB in Halmstad, an action plan was made. This action plan will be handed over to Arbetsmiljöverket by Schenker.

Container freight is an important component of the transportation system yet there is little understanding about this issue. This research develops an information system to assist transportation engineers and planners understand container freight transportation in the Canadian Prairie Region. The research conducts a transportation systems analysis to provide information about regional transportation, demand, and flow characteristics of container freight. It also designs, develops, and applies a container truck model to provide information about urban container truck traffic activity. The analysis and model reveal issues that should be considered in defining, evaluating, and choosing among alternative options to improve urban container freight transportation. The transportation systems analysis reveals the following issues affecting regional container freight. The Panama Canal expansion has the capability of altering container freight using the mini land bridge between West and East coast ports although the Port of Prince Rupert is emerging as a legitimate option to the Panama Canal. Railroads are developing integrated logistics centres which often involve relocating intermodal terminals and introducing major container generators to a city. Railroads are operating longer container trains and making fewer stops at prairie cities; however, these cities are developing inland ports to attract international freight. This research produces the first urban container truck traffic model to help overcome insufficient data and information in this area. It comprises defining a container truck network, acquiring container truck traffic data, and estimating container truck traffic volumes. The model is applied to the City of Winnipeg although the following issues are expected to be similar in other prairie cities. The research reveals issues regarding the temporal, spatial distribution, and physical characteristics of container trucks. Overall, about 13 percent of articulated trucks carry containers; however, corridors with high articulated truck volumes do not necessarily have high container truck volumes. Weekend articulated truck traffic volumes are nearly one-quarter of weekday volumes whereas Sunday container truck volumes are similar to weekday volumes. Container truck volumes peak during the midday while articulated truck volumes exhibit an a.m. and p.m. peak. The split between tridem and tandem axle semitrailers is 80/20 for container trucks.