Overview
Driving style is a major factor in the fuel consumption of a vehicle. Fuel economy driver training is increasingly being recognised as a cost-effective intervention to reduce fuel costs. Discussions with leading industry representatives support the view that 'Driving for economy' and 'Driving safely' are compatible objectives. The EEBPP, therefore, wishes to promote and encourage the development of fuel-efficient driving training programmes.
The work described below will be linked to the new 'Fuel Management Guide', published in February 2001. Further more, the driving standards will form part of the 'Fuel Advisors Scheme' which was announced by the Government in March 2001 as part of the Road Haulage Modernisation fund, totalling £100 million over 3 years.
The aim of this project is to develop a standard so that accreditation of trainers follows best practice for fuel economy driving.
We envisage Phase 1 of the project would entail reviewing the existing national driver training providers and then Phase 2 would develop a national standard for driving for economy.
Funding
Results
The SAFED programme is a supplementary driver development programme, consisting of instruction and assessment to raise the driving standards of HGV drivers. It intended to improve the safe and fuel-efficient driving skills of drivers in possession of a (HGV) driving licence. The Guide developed as a part of this programme contains the basic information to enable both training providers and vehicle operators to deliver the SAFED programme.
The following were promoted as the benefits of the SAFED programme in terms of drivers, operators and the environment:
For drivers:
- Drivers develop skills that promote their safety and that of their vehicle, load and other road users;
- Through fuel efficient driving, drivers raise their levels of professionalism and become more of an asset to their employer;
- Personal benefits include:
- Policy implications
Policy implications for HGV drivers, operators, organisational cultures and the environment: HGV drivers develop skills that promote their safety and that of their vehicle, load and other road users. Through fuel-efficient driving, drivers raise their levels of professionalism and become more of an asset to their employer.
Personal benefits include reduced stress levels and enhanced satisfaction of driving, increased confidence in vehicle control and driving performance. Operators benefit in developing the skills of their HGV drivers in line with the SAFED standard due to reduced fuel spend, increased productivity and vehicle utilisation, improved resale value of fleet, reduced running costs (particularly relating to maintenance and tyres) and potential reductions in insurance premiums.
SAFED contributes to good organisational cultures by the development of good health and safety practices, effective risk management, and the reduction of vehicle and personal injury accidents/incidents.
The environmental benefits include a reduction of CO 2 and other harmful vehicle emissions.
Efficiency
Key Findings
The main challenges of the efficiency theme are increasing temporal mobility, reducing the effects of congestion and increasing productivity specifically through cost reduction. This vehicle technology project meets these challenges through the production of an innovative curriculum for Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving aimed at HGV operators and their drivers. The project created tools for training 'trainers' to teach