A company called Fastskinz thinks so. They've created a vinyl car wrap based on the aerodynamic evidence from golf balls that an uneven surface creates less drag. Popular Mechanics puts the theory to the test.
"Since the early 20th century, golf ball makers have known that small irregularities-dimples-on the surface of balls created longer and truer drives than balls with smooth surfaces. In short, the dimples help delay the airflow separation from the ball and create a smaller wake of air behind, so there's less drag. "A golf ball is a bluff body and most of the drag is due to airflow separation-the flow cannot close behind the ball and stay attached," says Steve Ogg, vice president of golf ball research and development for Callaway. "The dimples transition the flow from a smooth laminar state to chaotic turbulent state. The turbulent mixing increases the momentum of the air at the surface of the ball, allowing it to stay attached longer." A car is obviously not the same type of shape as a golf ball, but the idea behind MPG-Plus is that dimples on a car body could have a similar effect. In automotive aerodynamics, the surface of the car is "dealing with turbulent flow," says Bill Pien, supervisor of aerodynamics in Ford Vehicle Engineering. "In normal operation, the skin friction accounts for no more then 1 percent of the total drag since the main drag generation mechanism is the vehicle shape," he says.
Fastskinz thinks there is still efficiency to be gained. They claim that the improved fuel economy of a vehicle wrapped in MPG-Plus compared with an identical vehicle not wrapped is 18 to 20 percent."
FULL STORY: Fastskinz Test Drive: Can a Golf Ball Covering Improve MPGs?

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie