Evaluation of energy-saving driving styles for bus drivers

Abstract

A procedure is presented for evaluating the performance in terms of driving style of public transport bus drivers, within the context of a programme for energy savings in urban public transportation. The purpose of this evaluation is that of providing suitable tools for training of personnel with the objective of attaining more energy-efficient driving styles and improving driving quality. Quality can be defined as the combination of an energy saving driving style with a behaviour that is respectful of the environment (noise, pollution and safety) and of the vehicle and is comfortable for the passengers as well. Economical driving provides direct savings in fuel of up to 25 per cent as well as indirect savings deriving from general improvements in quality; a more controlled driving style can also be accompanied by reductions in air pollution and noise emission. The procedure utilizes a fuzzy logic approach and can be implemented aboard vehicles in an automatic monitoring system, the sole requirement being that of measuring the instantaneous road speed of the vehicle and its current load. The procedure has been developed and validated on the basis of data coming from a test campaign carried out on vehicles equipped with automatic and manual transmission, operating over both urban and intercity itineraries in three different cities, and adopting different driving styles with different drivers. By analysing the results, in relation to the itinerary and conditions of traffic, stops, load, etc., it can be determined which conditions, for each driver, lead to either good or poor performance. Such specific information, together with assessment of the overall driving style, provides useful indications for training drivers, both through training programmes with specific itineraries and trials, and through self-learning processes with the procedure implemented using an on-board monitoring system.