Impacts of On-board Devices and Training on Light Duty Vehicle Driving Behavior

The main objective of this investigation was to assess the impacts of an eco-driving education session on the energy and environmental performance of a group of drivers as well as changes on their driving patterns. Driving behavior was assessed with an on-board monitoring device, the CarChip Pro. This on-board data logger allowed the characterization of driving patterns, collecting data regarding driving parameters - such as speed and acceleration - and engine parameters. Potential savings in fuel consumption and reduction of CO2 and NOx emissions were assessed based on the VSP “Vehicle Specific Power” methodology.A sample of 20 drivers was monitored in two distinct periods. Two groups were defined. A group of 9 drivers received at the end of the first monitoring period, an eco-driving educational session, where information regarding which conducts should be adopted in order to assume a more ecological driving behavior was shared as well as insight concerning their driving performance was given. The remaining drivers received no information. A total of 1364 days and 1928 hours of driving were monitored, corresponding to 8137 trips and 100212 km travelled. The results show that, after the eco-driving education session, drivers decreased the time spent in excessive speed and excessive engine speed by 24% and 38% respectively. A reduction in the number of events such as extreme accelerations and decelerations was also observed. The results indicate an average 4.8% fuel consumption decrease, corresponding to savings of 0.09 MJ/km and 6.56 g/km of CO2 emissions in the Tank-To-Wheel stage. Concerning NOx emissions a decrease of 8% was observed for this experimental group.