Comparing drivers’ self-perception on driving behaviour changes with real world driving performance data: Lisbon case-study

Abstract

Information and communication technologies (ICT) applied to the transportation sector have enabled studying real-world driving behaviour and the impacts of eco-driving training and education on fuel consumption and driving performance. The aim of this paper is to assess drivers’ self-perceptions on their driving performance after an experimental on-road monitoring trial in which they received feedback on performance. Drivers’ self-perceptions on their driving performance were compared with their driving data.Results indicate that majority of drivers considered the information presented in the feedback reports as being important, particularly in what concerned fuel consumption (fuel spent while driving) and aggressiveness (extreme braking and acceleration) indicators. Nonetheless, the same level of importance is not given to indicators that largely influence or not paying any attention to them when driving. Such results might be indicative that participants give preference to fuel efficiency when driving, having the intention to improve fuel consumption, but might find it difficult to understand and apply eco-driving techniques.The majority of drivers perceived their behaviour suffered ‘little’ to ‘some changes’, particularly in fuel consumption and aggressiveness. The comparison with driving data revealed that drivers increased the incidence of unwanted behaviours when they considered that their performance suffered ‘some changes’. On the contrary, decreases in some indicators, such as aggressiveness, speeding and excess rpm, were observed when ‘no changes’ were perceived by the drivers. These results are indicative that drivers are not correctly aware of changes in their performance.