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Old 05-29-2010, 12:23 AM   #1 (permalink)
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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



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Old 05-29-2010, 01:02 AM   #2 (permalink)
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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...
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Old 05-29-2010, 04:05 AM   #3 (permalink)
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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)
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Old 05-29-2010, 09:05 AM   #4 (permalink)
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Silly 14 year olds. Aerodynamic devices belong on the BACK of the bus.
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Old 05-29-2010, 11:07 AM   #5 (permalink)
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This will definitely be a learning experience for the kid when they go to testing.
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Old 05-29-2010, 11:25 AM   #6 (permalink)
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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......
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Old 05-29-2010, 11:29 AM   #7 (permalink)
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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?
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Old 05-29-2010, 11:45 AM   #8 (permalink)
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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.
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Old 05-29-2010, 02:09 PM   #9 (permalink)
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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.
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Old 05-29-2010, 04:34 PM   #10 (permalink)
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In rural areas buses do spend a lot of time above 50mph

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