  We study the non equilibrium statistical properties of a one dimensional
hard-rod fluid undergoing collisions and subject to a spatially non uniform
Gaussian heat-bath and periodic potential. The system is able to sustain finite
currents when the spatially inhomogeneous heat-bath and the periodic potential
profile display an appropriate relative phase shift, $\phi$. By comparison with
the collisionless limit, we determine the conditions for the most efficient
transport among inelastic, elastic and non interacting rods. We show that the
situation is complex as, depending on shape of the temperature profile, the
current of one system may outperform the others.
