Driver Feedback Program Slashes GHG Emissions, Saves Fuel in Denver Test
By John O'Dell January 27, 2009
By John O'Dell, Senior Editor
The results are in and a test of the world's first Internet-based driver behavior modification program shows that motorists who are made aware of how their driving habits affect their vehicle's fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions often change their habits for the good.
Drivers enrolled in the test cut emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases by 10 percent over the six-month trial, program sponsors announced this morning.
The program, called Driving Change, was launched in Denver, Colorado, last year as a collaboration of several private companies and the city and county of Denver.
The trial used telemetry provided by Cartasite Inc., a Denver firm, to track and send vehicle operating information overt the Internet to a greenhouse gas management system developed by California-based Enviance Inc.
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Driving Change chart shows CO2 emissions from vehicles in program, and reduction in idling time as drivers saw results of changing habits.
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The 400 drivers enrolled in the program received individualized emissions and driving "dashboards" they could view on their computers.
The dashboard graphics provided details of carbon-dioxide emissions and a breakdown of driving habits, particularly idling times, rapid acceleration indents and hard stops, that can affect fuel economy and emissions.The reports also included the actual cost of excess fuel consumed by aggressive driving and excessive idling.
The program, which was underwritten by Denver-based EnCana Oil & Gas, showed how "biofeedback and the Internet can be combined to tackle" greenhouse gas emissions and global warming, said Lawrence Goldenhersh, Enviance president and chief executive.
The biggest impact was on engine idling habits.
Made aware of the gas consumed and greenhouse gas emissions caused by running their vehicles' engines when parked, the participating drivers collectively reduced total daily idling time by 30 per cent over the test period.
That equates to 5 minutes less idling for each hour of driving time, and a reduction of about 1 pound of CO2 emissions per hour per vehicle.
Drivers also reduced aggressive driving behavior, but not by much -- the impact on greenhouse gas missions was negligible, a Driving Change spokesman told us.
Vehicles in the program included 240 private autos and 160 vehicles owned and operated by the city.
In announcing results of the program this morning, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper said that once the Driving Change feedback identified the extent of the "idling issue" in city vehicles, the city was able to use the data to show drivers the value, in fuel savings and emissions reductions, in turning off their vehicles' engines when stopping or periods of more than a few minutes.
Goldenhersh said that the idling reductions, extrapolated to a fleet of 2,000 vehicles, would have resulted in a fuel cost savings of "hundreds of thousands" of dollars over the six-month test period, when gas prices were in the range of $3-$4 a gallon.
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