Study on the Impact on Drivers of Performance Difference Between Pure Electric and Conventional Fuel Bus

Abstract

The accident rate would rise first and then reached the same level when the traditional fuel buses are replaced by pure electric vehicles in batch. In order to study this special phenomenon the impact on bus drivers were studied. The causes were studied to short the adaptation period of drivers and improve the safety level. 200 bus drivers were regarded as the research objects. The actual driving parameters were measured. The bus drivers were investigated. The passengers and traffic participants were investigated too. Driving speed estimation, the acceleration of driving, the driver drowsiness and vehicles found as evaluation criteria were selected as assessment index to compare the impact on the drivers from pure electric bus and conventional fuel bus. Result showed that the driving speed estimation errors were larger from pure electric vehicle in the early stages of the vehicle replacement. The acceleration of driving and braking deceleration were larger from pure electric vehicle. Low labor load from pure electric vehicle caused dull sleepy phenomenon appeared early compared to conventional fuel bus. Pure electric vehicles were more difficult to be found by traffic participants for the low noise. These were the important cause of accidents rate rising early after vehicle replacement. The reasons attributed to driver fatigue and attention distracted were fallacy in operation management. Strengthen the driver management and education could not change this situation. After the replacement of fuel oil buses by pure electric buses, drivers should experience these differences. The driving skills would not be the only requirements.