The Effect of Forklift Driver Behavior on Energy Consumption and Productivity

This research investigates the impact of forklift driver behavior on energy consumption and productivity (i.e., the average number of pallet movements per operating hour) by conducting various statistical and regression analyses. Forklift driver behavior data are collected from actual warehouse setting to evaluate the relationships between different driving behaviors (i.e., concurrent travel and lift, travel speed, acceleration, and braking) and driver performance. The research results show that 1) drivers perform similar tasks have different driving behaviors; 2) driver productivity increases with longer durations of concurrent travel and lift; and 3) average speed is the most significant variable that affects the energy consumption.