SmartDrive study finds eco-driving improves fuel economy 22% in commercial transportation fleets
18 October 2011
Commercial fleets can reduce fuel consumption on average as much as 22%, saving more than $12,500 per vehicle annually, by engaging in fuel-efficient, eco-driving best practices, according to the results of SmartDrive Systems’ Commercial Transportation Fuel Efficiency Study presented at the American Trucking Association’s Management Conference and Exhibition in Grapevine, TX.
The study evaluated 695 tractor-trailers, heavy-duty trucks and drivers in multiple US locations to assess the effect of driving performance on fuel consumption and the impact of training and in-vehicle instant feedback on improving fuel economy. Study data was compiled by SmartDrive sensors and recorders, then analyzed and training recommendations provided.
Real-time in-vehicle feedback on driving maneuvers and idling gave drivers the ability to adjust driving performance as it happened. Post-training performance was measured showing substantial reductions in the number and severity of hard accelerations, hard decelerations and hard turns.
Our study documented a significant opportunity to increase fuel efficiency by addressing the 80% of fuel waste that can be improved through softer driving. The study also shows that training and real-time in-cab feedback combine to dramatically lower the incidence of wasteful maneuvers.
Within two months, the top 25% of drivers improved their fuel economy from 5.92MPG to 7.98MPG, or 22%. That’s a real savings that any commercial fleet operator would appreciate.
—SmartDrive President Jason Palmer
Resources
Taxis and city bus drivers should take the course.
Posted by: HarveyD | 18 October 2011 at 08:21 AM
"The study also shows that training and real-time in-cab feedback combine to dramatically lower the incidence of wasteful maneuvers."
It's like I've always said: All cars should come with a dashboard current MPG gauge (like the Prius) so each driver has a constant reminder of how well he's doing.
It doesn't matter how good a driver you are, or think you are, even the best needs this kind of information to fine-tune their technique. Truckdrivers are already well trained and motivated to cut costs and even they showed an improvement in MPG with more training and feedback.
Posted by: ai_vin | 18 October 2011 at 10:10 AM