Developing Eco-Driving Strategies considering City Characteristics

Abstract

CO2 emissions reduction is a top element of transport policy agenda. Among other mitigation policy measures, eco-driving techniques have proven to be effective in reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The aim of this paper is to compare the impacts of adopting eco-driving in different cities, road segments, traffic, and driver features. It intends to gain an insight into how city size and driving characteristics can reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in order to develop specific eco-driving strategies. Field trials were conducted in two Spanish cities (Madrid and Caceres). 24 drivers, with different driving experiences, drove two different vehicles (petrol and diesel) along roads with different characteristics. The experiment was divided into two periods of 2 weeks; after the first one, drivers received an eco-driving training course. The impacts of eco-driving were measured comparing before and after results. They showed that eco-driving is highly effective in reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in both, large-congested and small, cities. Savings between 5% and 12% were achieved. The efficiency increases with road capacity and decreased with city size. Eco-driving appears to be more effective in small, uncongested cities. In addition, limiting speeds on high capacity roads has proven to be a good energy saving measure.

An Overview of Eco-Driving Theory, Capability Evaluation, and Training Applications

“…However, in terms of the impact of road traffic environment on the effect of eco-driving training, different scholars have reached different conclusions. Some scholars believe that driving on unobstructed roads is more conducive to the implementation of eco-driving strategies, so the fuel-saving effect is more obvious [ 102 , 109 ]. Coloma et al [ 102 ] pointed out that eco-driving training seems to be more effective in small but not crowded cities.…”

“…Coloma et al [ 102 ] pointed out that eco-driving training seems to be more effective in small but not crowded cities. However, other scholars hold the opposite view [ 96 , 109 ]. Barla et al [ 94 ] compared the average fuel consumption of cities and highways after eco-driving training, which was reduced by 4.6% and 2.9%, respectively.…”

“…Overall, static assistance is necessary, although there are deficiencies in eco-driving education [ 109 ]. If eco-driving education can be carried out on a regular basis, it can play a very good role [ 111 ].…”

Assessing the Energy Intensity and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of the Traffic Services in a Selected Region

“…Authors [10] measured influences of ecological transport before and after the results, suggesting that the eco-friendly drive significantly (by 5% -12%) reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in busy municipalities. Study [11] presents WtW (Well-to-Wheel) comparison of power units with increasing electrification, i.e.…”

Influence of Cruise Control Use on Vehicle´s Consumption

“…For these reasons, eco-driving training is offered, which is mainly focused on reducing vehicle´s consumption and also contributes to the efficiency of driving. [11][12][13][14]…”