Eco Driving in Local Authority Vehicles

Aim of Project:

The aim of this project is the reduce the fuel consumption in the Local Authority Roads and Environment Departments in North Tipperary County Council and South Tipperary County Council.

This project is a one year project which commenced on the 1st February 2010.

Objectives of Project:

1. Set up data collection procedures and collect baseline results for mpg, fuel consumption and distances travelled by each department

2. Organise and train 40 drivers in total on eco driving techniques in a 1:1 practical training session.

3. Monitor results after the eco driving training to assess if there has been a reduction in fuel consumption.

4. Disseminate results through local media, seminars etc.

Project Results:

The results to date indicate that on average, on the day of the eco drive training, the fuel consumption improved by on average 35%. However, whether this is sustainable is the real question. So far since the eco drive course, the drivers have sustained an improved mpg by on average 3.8%.

From the start of this project, the target has always been a 5% drop in fuel consumption. The savings monitored so far are not far off this and so should result in 23Tonnes CO2 per annum if sustained over the long term.

For more information on this project, please contact sdaly@tea.ie.

This project is funded by the Department of Transport’s Smarter Travel Demonstration Fund.