Vehicle monitoring for driver training in bus companies – Application in two case studies in Portugal

We examine the strategies of modifying drive behavior adopted by two bus companies operating in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area to minimize fuel consumption and associated CO2 emissions. Rodoviária de Lisboa uses a commercial tool for monitoring buses during regular work, with data collected based on events representing undesired behavior that was subsequently used as the basis for classroom training of drivers. Barraqueiro Transportes adopted a vehicle monitoring system capable of processing information during operation giving real time driver feedback on energy, comfort and safety indicators. Both systems produced fuel economies, although to differing degrees.

► The bus industry in Lisbon has experimented with new approaches to fuel economy.
► Case studies of two bus companies show bus driver training improves fuel consumption.
► Fuel consumption improvements vary with the type of training.