Improving Cattle Transport Safety in India: A CFD-Based Analysis of Cage Structures

Abstract

The transportation of cattle in India predominantly relies on conventional goods carrier vehicles, which are not optimized for animal welfare. This inadequacy often leads to significant stress, injuries, and even fatalities among livestock. To address this issue, our research introduces a flexible, modular cage design tailored for various types of goods carrier vehicles, aimed at improving the safety and comfort of cattle during transport. The study employs Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to analyze airflow, temperature distribution, and pressure dynamics within different cage designs, focusing on ventilation efficiency and thermal comfort. Three distinct vent configurations were examined: (1) Side openings, (2) Front and rear openings with vertical side vents, and (3) Front and rear openings with cross-linked side vents. CFD simulations revealed that the third design, featuring cross-linked vents, offered superior airflow patterns and reduced thermal stress, ensuring a more stable environment for the livestock. This configuration demonstrated a 60% improvement in ventilation efficiency and a significant reduction in temperature variation compared to conventional designs. The findings suggest that incorporating optimized vent designs and flexible cage structures can significantly enhance animal welfare during transportation. This research highlights the potential of CFD as a powerful tool in designing safer and more effective cattle transport solutions, tailored to the unique requirements of India’s transport sector. Future work will focus on field validation and further refinement of the proposed design for widespread adoption.