Title: The effects of driver behaviour and vehicle characteristics on fuel consumption: an application of the power model
Abstract: Driver behaviour and vehicle characteristics are important and closely related determinants of car fuel consumption but reported estimates of their effect vary widely. Procedures which make use of the power model of car fuel consumption are given for estimating these effects. The levels of reduction in fuel consumption from changes in driver behaviour and vehicle characteristics are estimated using on road speed time data collected in Sydney and on road acceleration test data. Changes in driver behaviour during the four modes of driving (idle, cruise, acceleration and deceleration) are treated separately. The power model is shown to be a useful tool for analysing these effects. Possible reductions in trip fuel consumption of between one and four per cent are found for each mode, but the total achievable savings are likely to be only about three per cent over a network. Information is given on the fuel reduction per unit increase in travel time achieved through reductions in acceleration rates and high speeds. This enables drivers to make a trade off between increased fuel consumption or travel time. The effect of changes in some vehicle characteristics such as mass, aerodynamic drag, idle rate and engine efficiency can be clearly identified using the power model. Estimates of these effects are given (a).
Publication Year: 1984
Publication Date: 1984-03-01
Language: en
Type: article
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