Temperature patterns in commercial egg transport vehicles

Abstract Egg transport vehicles operating from two locations in Florida were wired with up to thirty sensors gathering ambient temperature data as frequently as 15 sec in order to characterize temperature patterns in both warehouse delivery and store-door delivery settings during the parked and mobile phases. Using the new ambient-air egg storage regulation temperature of 45°F as a benchmark, the seven warehouse runs had the lowest average percentage of time at or below temperature standard. There was also considerable average front to back and side to side variation due to the refrigerated air discharge location. Vertical plan measurement differences were less than 10%. Store-door runs generally had higher compliance rates than warehouse runs, but experienced problems cooling the centerline of the truck, particularly in the front. Due to frequent door openings and the fact that this unit discharged air into the cargo area directly out of the cooling unit, compliance was highest in the front at the sides of the truck and lower toward the rear.