Results

             Our test consisted of driving 50 miles, from Villanova to Allentown, PA, with the pod on, and another 50 miles, from Allentown to Villanova, PA, without the pod. First, before we left Villanova, the gas tank was filled until the gas pump signaled a full tank. The fifty miles was then driven, and the tank was again filled until the pump signaled it was full. From this second fill up, we knew how much gas we had used and from the odometer we knew how many miles we had driven. We followed this same procedure on the return trip. We were finally able to calculate our fuel efficiency in each direction by dividing the number of miles we had driven by the number of gallons of gas we used. The second way fuel efficiency was measured was by the in board dash computer. Our results are shown below:

Drove 50 Miles with Pod on at 60mph

 

• 36 Miles per gallon (calculated)

• 18.3 Miles per gallon (computer)

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Drove 50 Miles without Pod at 60mph

25 Miles per gallon (calculated)

• 17 Miles per gallon (computer)

 

Our road test computed results matched both our MATLAB and wind tunnel predictions and because of this we can be reasonably confident that our pod does indeed increase gas mileage approximately 10%

Villanova University - 800 E. Lancaster Ave.- Villanova, PA

Department of Mechanical Engineering