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Driver behaviour study using vehicle telemetry

Project Objective: Use vehicle telemetry units to determine the impact of driver behaviour on fuel consumption and develop a driver training program

Organization: Transport Robert (1973) Ltd.

Project Timeline: March 2009 to February 2011

Project Results: The vehicle telemetry units provided enhanced Transport Robert’s understanding of driver behaviour and enabled them to develop a training program which led to improvements in safe and economical driving practices for participating drivers. An overview of these results is presented in table 1 below.

    Table 1 – Results of Transport Robert’s Project

Fuel consumption reduction (L)	GHG emission reduction	Overall savings (with fuel price of $0.8829 /L)	Return on Investment
180,740	486 tons	$159,576	3.92 years

Project Description

Transport Robert (1973) Ltd is a freight transportation company. It has a fleet of over 850 trucks and 4,000 trailers, travels over 115,000,000 kilometres and consumes nearly 50,000,000 litres of fuel each year. It employs more than 2,500 people in Quebec and Ontario.

With funding from the Transport Canada’s Freight Technology Demonstration Fund, Transport Robert installed 250 vehicle telemetry units. The purpose of these units was to determine the impact of driver behaviour on fuel consumption.

The telemetry units are known as the “Isaac system” and are provided by Isaac Instruments. The Isaac system records and transmits acceleration, braking and turning data from the vehicle’s systems. The data collected is used to determine driver behaviours and the impacts of their behaviours on fuel consumption. Based on this information, a training program was developed to improve safe and economical driving practices.

Methodology

The data collected by the Isaac systems are transmitted to the Transport Robert database, where they are used to analyze driver behaviour and the impact of their behaviour on fuel consumption. Based on this information, a training program was developed and 186 drivers participated. There are scheduled follow-ups with participating drivers, and Transport Robert continued to collect data.

The results obtained by each participating driver are combined to create an overall analysis of the impact of the training and by extension the Isaac systems. These combined results and the savings they entail are then used to evaluate the economic and environmental impact of the project.

Detailed project results

Performance results

The performance of the project is evaluated based on the improvement of safe and economical driving after the drivers received the training. This case study focuses on the economic aspect, which is more easily quantifiable. By comparing the data collected during the project with historical data during the same period for the past three (3) years, we can see a reduction in fuel consumption for all participating drivers. Table 2 shows this reduction in fuel consumption and the resulting reduction in GHG emissions.

      Table 2 – Fuel and GHG Emissions

Fuel consumption reduction (L)	GHG emission reduction
180,740	486 tons

The data analysis resulted in some interesting findings, including:

• Driving in manual mode is more economical than in automatic mode (speed changes at 1300 rpm).
• Coasting results in significant fuel savings. It is therefore preferable to decelerate by coasting over long distances rather than using the brakes.
• Maintaining favourable turbo pressure may lead to fuel savings.

Financial results

The reduction in fuel consumption resulting from economical driving behaviour has an economic impact. A fuel consumption reduction of 180,740 L represents a savings of $159,576 annually. The calculation of the project’s payback is based on this level of savings and the cost of purchasing the Isaac systems, which are the key tool for this training and is presented in table 3. The calculation does not include indirect savings (such as reduced maintenance costs and increased useful life of equipment) or negligible operational costs (maintenance and updates of the Isaac system).

      Table 3 - Calculation of project savings and cost-effectiveness

Fuel savings (L)	Overall savings (with fuel price of $0.8829 /L)	System purchase cost ($2,500 x 250)	Return on investment
180,740	$159,576	$625,000	3.92 years

Conclusion

Transport Robert considers this project a success, since it has increased knowledge of driver behaviour.

The Isaac System is now an integral part of Transport Robert’s ongoing improvement process. Transport Robert aims to have all its drivers behaving professionally on the road and acting as ambassadors of safe and economical driving, and the training resulting from the use of the Isaac system data is a step towards this objective.

The Isaac Instruments system is most valuable when fully integrated into the day-to-day operations of a company. It is useful for training, prevention, evaluation, and information at all levels.

Transport Robert plans to move forward with the acquisition of new Isaac systems. These systems will be fully integrated into Transport Robert’s day-to-day activities, marking a new stage in Transport Robert’s evolution, which is always looking for new technologies to improve its performance and reduce its carbon footprint.

Date modified:

2012-02-16

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