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7. Trucking Fuel-Reduction Measures

Trucking Fuel-Reduction Measures

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
Big Freight Systems Inc.

Major Findings
Driver training and the use of Sensortracs technology to monitor driving habits resulted in a 3% reduction in fuel consumption and an annual reduction of 980 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

Project Timeline
September 2004 to February 2006

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

Introduction

Big Freight Systems Inc. (Big Freight) is a specialized commodity trucking company that ships throughout Canada and the United States. With headquarters in Steinbach, Manitoba, the company operates terminals in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto and Montreal. As for all trucking companies, fuel is a major expense and directly impacts profits. Reducing fuel use saves money and reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. With financial support from Transport Canada's Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program, Big Freight launched a fuel reduction program based on training drivers to recognize and implement fuel-saving driving habits.

Project Description

This fuel reduction program involved identifying wasteful driving habits and taking steps to improve. Two methods were used:

• Training drivers to change their behaviour such as shifting patterns, over-revving and speeding.
• Installing Sensortracs technology in trucks to identify fuel-wasting habits and taking actions to correct them.

Project Goals and Objectives

In addition to reducing idling time, the study intended to reduce speeding and over-revving as defined below:

1. Excess speed - speeds over 113 km/h (70 mph)
2. Over speeding - speeds between 104-111 km/h (65-69 mph)
3. Excess engine revving - greater than 2,000 revolutions per minute (RPM)

Project Methodology

Training

All drivers completed a half-day training program. Main points covered were: engine performance, shifting patterns, driving speeds, idling, sudden braking, the use of auxiliary cab heaters, equipment maintenance, the use of Sensortracs and how driving patterns impact driver performance and compensation. The trainer also reviewed the Fleetsmart Smart Driver and third-party materials dealing with engine performance and fuel economy.

Big Freight used training, encouragement, financial incentives and discipline to change driver behaviour for idling, speeding and over-revving. An incentive program based on two cents per mile, rewarded drivers who achieved company benchmarks. Corrective action plans were developed for individual drivers, as necessary. In some cases, additional training was given and followed by a driving test. Drivers unable to adjust to the fuel-efficient mode of operation saw their employment with Big Freight ended. It is expected the changed driver behaviour will bring other benefits, such as reduced engine wear and enhanced safety. These, however, are much more difficult to measure than fuel savings, especially in the short term.

Monitoring

Sensortracs devices were installed on all company trucks and on some owner-operator trucks. In total, approximately 140 Sensortracs units were installed. Non-driving staff learned how to use Sensortracs to reduce idling and improve driving habits. By the time the project began, most Big Freight Systems trucks were equipped with auxiliary heaters units and all drivers were expected to use them to reduce idling time. Fleet managers reviewed weekly driver performance reports.

Results

Idling time

Baseline data was used to compare idling time before and during the project period between September 2004 and February 2006. Performance was tracked for three categories of the Big Freight fleet: Super B, short haul and long haul. Table 1 displays information obtained from Sensortracs for the combined fleet. It shows that the combined effect of driver education and performance tracking and correction reduced the study group's idle time from 48.3% to 17.0%.

     Table 1 Fuel and greenhouse gas data

	Miles	Idling time	Total fuel (gallons)	Greenhouse gas emissions (tonnes)
Baseline	9,924,600	48.3%	1,909,700
Baseline (prorated)	18,333,000	48.3%	3,528,000	42,690
Study Group	18,333,000	17.0%	3,420,800	41,400
Savings			107,200	1,470

When the baseline data was prorated to the project group mileage, reduced idling could have saved 107,200 gallons of fuel, which translates to 1,470 fewer tonnes of GHG emissions for the study period, or about 980 tonnes per year. The fuel saving is 3% compared to the baseline condition that existed after installation of cab heaters and before training and monitoring were implemented. It should be noted that savings were experienced for all fleet categories but were less for the short-haul fleet due to less overnight idling. Also, since more improvements occurred toward the end of the project as a result of training that changed driver habits, the fuel and GHG emissions may be somewhat understated.

Other changes in driver habits

Table 2 shows the effect that seasons have on idling and mileage. It also demonstrates improvement in key indicators as the project progressed. For example, the percentage of drivers who qualified for fuel efficiency performance bonuses increased. Although there was some resistance to change in the beginning, drivers did accept to change driving habits and reduced fuel use was achieved.

     Table 2 Effect of fuel reduction on other variables

Month	Fleet miles per gallon (mpg)	Idle time	Excess speed (>70 mph), (hours)	Number of excess speed incidents	Over speed (65-69 mph), (hours)	Over- revving (>2000 rpm), (hours)	Drivers qualified for bonus
Year 1 2004
September	5.7	10.1%	11.0	13	138	2.0	61%
October	5.5	10.4%	8.5	13	121	1.5	68%
November	5.2	14.7%	10.0	15	155	1.5	72%
December	4.8	36.8%	6.0	10	104	2.0	61%
Year 2 2005
January	4.6	45.0%	6.5	12	113	2.0	41%
February	5.0	32.5%	7.0	11	118	1.5	61%
March	5.1	29.8%	8.5	15	122	1.5	60%
April	5.4	12.6%	12.5	18	157	1.5	71%
May	5.4	10.6%	14.0	22	176	3.0	69%
June	5.6	14.5%	13.0	22	159	3.5	64%
July	5.5	20.0%	17.0	20	128	4.0	58%
August	5.7	17.8%	17.0	23	169	4.0	57%
September	5.8	11.4%	11.5	20	146	2.0	68%
October	5.6	10.9%	13.5	20	143	2.0	68%
November	5.3	16.3%	8.0	11	130	33.0	77%
December	5.1	21.6%	4.5	4	82	2.0	68%
Year 3 2006
January	5.2	12.4%	3.5	5	86	1.0	83%
February	5.0	20.8%	52.0	4	147	2.0	77%

Conclusion

Installing Sensortracs devices, offering driver training, and monitoring continual improvement, reduced fuel consumption and GHG emissions. Less idling resulted in fuel savings of 3%, which translates to 1,470 less tonnes of GHG emissions for the study period, or about 980 tonnes per year. Big Freight Systems Inc. also succeeded in reducing excess speeding, over-speeding and engine over-revving as seen in Table 2. In addition to cost savings due to reduced fuel use, other savings from extended engine life and driving safety are likely in the longer term.

Additional Information

• Big Freight Systems Inc.
• Sensortracs (Presently unavailable)
• Fleetsmart Smart Driver Training, Natural Resources Canada

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Date modified:

2012-03-08

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