Adaptation de l'ATP aux climats chauds

The refrigerated transport of perishable goods in Europe is regulated by the ATP. This agreement, issued in 1970, entered into force in 1976 after ratification by the first five signatory countries. In fact, the ATP is designed for Central Europe. Therefore, for the use in different climates (North Africa, Tropic, Equator, etc.), the parameters to respond correctly to the different climatic conditions should be taken into account. The thermal load of an insulated vehicle is determined by convective exchange with the air and by direct and indirect solar radiation (radiation from surrounding flat surfaces heated by the sun). These two factors are a function of the latitude and modify the heat balance of an insulated box in comparison to the scenario in temperate countries. We choose five sample locations for which to calculate the maximum heat load (Table 1). We take the worst case for calculating the thermal load: a parked vehicle, in direct sunlight, which is affected by the irradiation of the asphalt. Based on the table above in hot countries (intermediate situation between Nairobi and Bamako), a category of vehicles with more reinforced insulation should be preferred to those currently in use. A change in pallet format to increase the thickness of the insulated walls could be proposed. This solution would make it possible to use common insulation materials (polyurethane and polystyrene) or to use native biological materials.