Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > Aerodynamics
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 05-28-2010, 11:23 PM   #1 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Posts: 813
Thanks: 5
Thanked 34 Times in 26 Posts
Green Shield (Pepsi grantee)

I just saw an ad for something called Green Shield. Apparently Pepsi has a program where they give grants for good ideas, and this 14 year old kid is building aerodynamic fairings for the fronts of school buses.


I wonder how much the shield really reduces drag. It would be better if the sides were closed and if the shield went all the way to the roof instead of the top of the windshield.

Grantee Story: Jonny’s Green Shield Pepsi Refresh Everything Blog

Video:
'Green Shields' for Fuel-Efficient School Buses - ABC News



Last edited by winkosmosis; 05-28-2010 at 11:32 PM..
  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 05-29-2010, 12:02 AM   #2 (permalink)
(:
 
Frank Lee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: up north
Posts: 12,762

Blue - '93 Ford Tempo
Last 3: 27.29 mpg (US)

F150 - '94 Ford F150 XLT 4x4
90 day: 18.5 mpg (US)

Sport Coupe - '92 Ford Tempo GL
Last 3: 69.62 mpg (US)

ShWing! - '82 honda gold wing Interstate
90 day: 33.65 mpg (US)

Moon Unit - '98 Mercury Sable LX Wagon
90 day: 21.24 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,585
Thanked 3,555 Times in 2,218 Posts
I guess the idea that stoking the kid's interest is the important thing...

cuz that shield is a massive fail.

Surprised it got through that many layers of "pros" or those that should be in the know...
__________________


  Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2010, 03:05 AM   #3 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Posts: 813
Thanks: 5
Thanked 34 Times in 26 Posts
Another problem I can see is that it probably catches air that goes over the fenders and hits the firewall (or whatever the front of the cab is called)
  Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2010, 08:05 AM   #4 (permalink)
Left Lane Ecodriver
 
RobertSmalls's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Buffalo, NY, USA
Posts: 2,257

Prius C - '12 Toyota Prius C
Thanks: 79
Thanked 286 Times in 199 Posts
Silly 14 year olds. Aerodynamic devices belong on the BACK of the bus.
  Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2010, 10:07 AM   #5 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
AeroModder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 471

Tank - '96 Ford Aspire 4 door
Team Ford
90 day: 46.75 mpg (US)
Thanks: 15
Thanked 65 Times in 48 Posts
This will definitely be a learning experience for the kid when they go to testing.
__________________
In Reason we Trust
  Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2010, 10:25 AM   #6 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 389

2003 Ninja EX250 - '03 Kawasaki Ninja EX250
90 day: 78.57 mpg (US)

Saturn - '99 Saturn SL1 Base
90 day: 47.27 mpg (US)
Thanks: 25
Thanked 58 Times in 37 Posts
I don't believe his idea is really going to improve fuel economy of buses that much to merit all the investment.... honestly, i think pepsi is just trying to make an example out of the kid because fuel economy us beginning to be a sensitive topic and the kid happens to be relatively well spoken (pretty much a good example for pepsi's campaign).

We all know most of the improvements will come from mods to the rear of the bus.

By the way, Pepsi is now using this kid and his idea for their commercial for the campaign......
__________________
Doing my part to reduce dependence on OIL
Doing my part to reduce congestion
And enjoying it!

If you have to use your brakes, you are driving too fast!

My 101.5 MPG 2003 Kawasaki Ninja 250




Crude Oil Price Today
  Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2010, 10:29 AM   #7 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Madison AL
Posts: 1,123

The Geo - '93 Geo Metro
Team Metro
90 day: 45.16 mpg (US)
Thanks: 30
Thanked 40 Times in 37 Posts
I saw this commercial and right as soon as I saw the check for 25,000 dollars I said, "Holy ****ing hell!" And my dad looked at me funny. So after I explained what you guys/we already know he sort of chuckled.

Buses spend most if not all of their life at sub 55mph, did anyone not tell this kid that? Not to mention improvements should be made a the rear. And plexiglass in front of your windshield? Can you say glare?

Pepsi, strong marketing win for the ignorant observer, but you have not foiled us here at ECOMODDER!!!!!!!!!

That made no sense did it?
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to MadisonMPG For This Useful Post:
JasonG (05-30-2010)
Old 05-29-2010, 10:45 AM   #8 (permalink)
Left Lane Ecodriver
 
RobertSmalls's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Buffalo, NY, USA
Posts: 2,257

Prius C - '12 Toyota Prius C
Thanks: 79
Thanked 286 Times in 199 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by MadisonMPG View Post
Buses spend most if not all of their life at sub 55mph
Doesn't matter. Aerodynamic drag is still large at 30mph, especially when you're a bus.
  Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2010, 01:09 PM   #9 (permalink)
123
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Oregon
Posts: 73
Thanks: 2
Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
I see one another problem with the Green Shield idea a lot of school buses are not shaped like the example they used.

My family had one that looked like this.


Sold the bus because it was to expensive to drive when you get under 10mpg.
  Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2010, 03:34 PM   #10 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Posts: 813
Thanks: 5
Thanked 34 Times in 26 Posts
In rural areas buses do spend a lot of time above 50mph

  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread




Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
2010 Green Grand Prix: Saturday May 8, Watkins Glen, NY -pics/results posted MetroMPG Events & Meet-ups 193 05-29-2010 07:52 PM
Starting Infiniti Q45 underbelly shield... mcrews Aerodynamics 12 12-17-2009 12:19 PM
Green Drive Expo this Weekend in Madison, WI SVOboy EcoModder Blog Discussion 0 07-16-2009 10:40 AM
4 Green Car Blogs You Need to Follow SVOboy EcoModder Blog Discussion 0 04-18-2009 02:20 PM



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com