1. Home
2. Environment
3. Environmental Programs
4. ecoTRANSPORT
5. ecoFREIGHT
6. Road
7. Reducing Fleet Fuel Consumption Through Driver Skills Training and Real-Time Electronic Monitoring

Reducing Fleet Fuel Consumption Through Driver Skills Training and Real-Time Electronic Monitoring

The analysis and conclusions contained in this case study are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily represent the point of view of the Government of Canada.

Organization
J.D.Smith and Sons Limited

Major Findings
The greatest benefit of Driver Skills Training and real-time monitoring of driver performance was the reduction of idling time that resulted in reduced fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Project Timeline
November 2004 to September 2005

Please note that some figures such as cost savings on fuel are based on data from the period that this project took place.

Introduction

In 2004, J.D.Smith and Sons Limited (J.D. Smith), of Toronto, Ontario, with the support of Transport Canada's Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program, launched its Project Green initiative to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 5%.

Project Green involved a combination of driver skills training and real-time electronic monitoring of driver and equipment performance. Refinements in vehicle operation and route efficiency lowered fuel consumption and reduced GHG and CO₂ emissions.

Project Description

Project Green was carried out from November 2004 to September 2005. J.D. Smith acquired wireless on-board technology and fleet management systems from Fleetmind Solutions, Montreal, QC, to monitor driver actions, engine data and vehicle movements of a cross-section of its fleet. Two groups of drivers received Natural Resources Canada's Fleetsmart Smart Driver training.

Project Methodology

Thirty-six vehicles of varying age, engine displacement and type (tractor-trailer or straight body), were selected as a cross-section of the J.D. Smith fleet. Each was assigned to one of three groups of twelve vehicles. Group One was the designated control group, in that only engine data was manually gathered from the vehicle's Electronic Control Module (ECM) and its drivers did not benefit from Smart Driver training. Drivers in Groups Two and Three did receive driver skills training, and Group Three trucks were outfitted with Fleetmind Solutions in-cab wireless electronics to monitor driver actions, engine data and vehicle movements. This equipment included a Global Positioning (GPS) unit; an On-Board Computer (OBC); a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) radio; and a cellular General Packet Radio System (GPRS) radio.

J.D.Smith warehouses were equipped with a WLAN antenna, a communications server and software. When trucks operated within a .5-to1.5 kilometer range of a base antenna, engine and driver data could be transmitted automatically to Dispatch. From greater distances, information could be sent via Rogers Wireless Inc.'s GPRS network. This meant that drivers' performance reports for that day could be ready by the time they entered the building.

Drivers in Groups Two and Three received Fleetsmart Smart Driver training to improve fuel consumption. The training focussed on:

• Proper care and condition of their vehicle, identifying mechanical problems that could lead to unnecessary fuel consumption or on-the-road breakdown, and maintaining correct tire pressures.
• Using progressive shifting techniques and minimizing engine idling and excessive revving.
• Planning ahead to avoid the costly stops and starts of city driving, rush hour traffic or racing to meet a deadline.
• Defensive driving techniques to ensure a smooth, safe and fuel-efficient ride.

The OBC has a direct interface with the engine's ECM, which can generate an Alert if programmed conditions are met. Examples of these conditions could include the following:

• Speeding: If speed exceeds 102 km/h for longer than four seconds =Alert.
• Over-Revving: If engine revolutions per minute (rpm) is greater than 1850 = Alert.
• Braking over 80km/h: If brakes are applied at speeds above 80 km/h = Alert.
• Progressive Shifting: If engine rpm exceeds 1700 during a shift, = Alert.
• Engine Idle: If engine idles longer than three minutes = Alert.

IBC and GPS data can be represented in a map that charts a vehicle's movements and times over the course of a day. This information, along with data generated by real-time monitoring of engine and Alerts, combine to create a complete picture of both machine, and human performance. Given that J.D.Smith operates some 200 vehicles within a 200-kilometre radius of greater Toronto, it was hoped that Project Green would have a major impact on fuel consumption and GHG emissions.

Results

Since the project's principal focus was on driver behaviour, it soon became apparent that manual downloads of analogue data from ECMs could not compare to the broad spectrum of data available with an on-board unit able to monitor a specific driver, regardless of the truck being driven. As a result, in-cab electronics were installed in all Project Green trucks. Daily driver reports were abandoned because they required unrealistic time and effort. A weekly review for Group Three drivers was implemented, to examine:

• Fuel Consumption (L/100km)
• Cost/km
• Total km travelled
• % Total driving time that engine remained at idle (idle defined as idling beyond five minutes)
• % Total driving time that engine ran over 2500 rpm
• % Total driving time that driver exceeded 104 km/h

Drivers were not scored during these reviews, as this practice was regarded as unduly subjective and unfair.

Analysis of fuel consumption data showed comparable results for Groups One and Three using 38.6 and 38.1 L of fuel per 100 km respectively. Group Two averaged 40.2 L per 100 km. Therefore, on its own, fuel consumption data does not support improvements or gains from the technology. Similarly, the project did not result in notable fuel economy by monitoring speed and high rpm engine time. It can be speculated that because the JD Smith fleet operates with governed engines and mostly within a smaller service area as opposed to long haul routes, the sustained speeds that mean higher fuel consumption are not reached.

The area with the greatest impact on fuel economy is engine idling. In reviewing data gathered over the eleven-month initiative, the training Group Two saw a 35.9% improvement and Group Three a 37.5% improvement over control Group One. According to the Fleetsmart training material, engine idling consumes fuel at the rate of 4 L/hour, and one litre of burned fuel produces 2.7kg of CO₂. Therefore, one hour of idling produces 10.8 kg of CO₂ emissions. J.D.Smith's data show that Group One idled for approximately 1,728 hours, compared to only 1,080 hours for Group Three. In terms of CO₂ emissions, Group One produced 18,662 kg, whereas Group Three produced 11,664 kg, or 37.5% less than the control group. Expressed another way, Group Three reduced its CO₂ emissions by seven metric tons.

Conclusion

For the sole purpose of GHG reduction, Fleetmind Solutions technology is fairly expensive, at approximately $3,635 per unit, not including the $4,500 cost of software - especially since changing driver practices and reducing engine idling through training produced better results.

While Fleetmind Solutions on-board electronic monitoring equipment worked very well, and provided useful information about driver behaviour and fleet movements, in this case it was concluded that investing in fleet in-cab heaters would significantly reduce idling times in a more cost-effective manner.

However, from both an emission reduction standpoint, as well as an operational management standpoint, Project Green benefited both the JD Smith organization and its customers.

Additional Information

• J.D.Smith and Sons Limited
• Fleetmind Solutions

Alternative Format

The following document is available for downloading or viewing:

PDF version (Size: 125 KB)

Date modified:

2011-11-07

Primary navigation