Skip to main content

Study aims to improve fuel economy by up to 30 per cent

A US$1.2 million three-year research project, one of the first major US studies to focus on 'eco-driving' techniques, conducted by the Center for Environmental Research and Technology at the University of California, Riverside, is aimed at the development of a next-generation, environmentally friendly driving feedback system with the goal of generating fuel savings of between 10 and 30 per cent. The project is being funded by a US Department of Energy grant, which is part of a $175 million federal programme
March 20, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
A US$1.2 million three-year research project, one of the first major US studies to focus on 'eco-driving' techniques, conducted by the Center for 4106 Environmental Research and Technology at the University of California, Riverside, is aimed at the development of a next-generation, environmentally friendly driving feedback system with the goal of generating fuel savings of between 10 and 30 per cent. The project is being funded by a US Department of Energy grant, which is part of a $175 million federal programme aimed at improving the fuel efficiency of the next generation of US vehicles.

Participants in the project include the University of California at Berkeley, Riverside Transit Agency, the 2451 California Department of Transportation (CalTrans), 212 esri, 3516 Navteq, 4107 Earthrise Technology, 4108 Beat The Traffic, and Automatiks. Work on the project will be based out of the Center for Environmental Research and Technology at UC Riverside, while field tests will be performed by commuter and commercial travellers in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

The three-year project aims to develop and demonstrate a comprehensive driver feedback technology that will improve fuel efficiency of passenger cars and fleet vehicles of businesses and government. This technology already exists on a small scale, but this study will make large advances in a fully integrated feedback system that includes better trip planning and routing, improved efficiency while driving, and comprehensive reporting on a periodic basis."This grant allows us to go beyond small, anecdotal studies to show, on a large scale, the significant positive economic and environmental impacts of eco-driving principles and the value of feedback systems," said Matthew Barth, the principal investigator on the project and the director of UC Riverside's Center for Environmental Research and Technology at the Bourns College of Engineering.

Related Content

  • Hydrogen-fuelled engines from Cummins
    March 13, 2025
    Hydrogen-fuelled engines for on-road vehicles will come from Cummins
  • Japan and Singapore agree transport research programme
    April 2, 2013
    A new agreement has been established between Japanese firm Fujitsu and Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research A*STAR. The agreement concerns research into long-term urban sustainability solutions to deliver high standards of living, work opportunities and economic growth. The work will focus on using data from various agencies in Singapore to derive an understanding of complex dynamics within the city. The research will use modelling and simulation to guide critical decisions and implementa
  • GRAA winner profile: Thailand adopts integrated road safety management to cut casualties
    June 11, 2021
    IRF recognises value of national road injury risk diagnosis programme
  • US federal highway trust faces running out of cash by 2015
    September 27, 2013
    America’s federal highway trust fund faces running out of money in 2015: a move that will have a “devastating impact” on states that rely heavily on federal funds for their road maintenance and construction needs, transportation officials warned the US Congress this week. Highway contractors, state transportation officials and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce all went to Washington this week to lobby Congress, arguing for a rise in the rate of federal gasoline tax to help boost the coffers.