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Transportation's Role in Reducing U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions ...

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Transportation’s <strong>Role</strong> <strong>in</strong> Reduc<strong>in</strong>g U.S. <strong>Greenhouse</strong> <strong>Gas</strong> <strong>Emissions</strong>: Volume 2<br />

Driver Education/Eco-Driv<strong>in</strong>g<br />

Def<strong>in</strong>ition<br />

Eco-driv<strong>in</strong>g programs are directed at<br />

<strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g vehicle fuel efficiency by<br />

affect<strong>in</strong>g both driver behavior and<br />

vehicle ma<strong>in</strong>tenance.<br />

• Driver Behavior – Driver tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />

programs are used to teach new or<br />

experienced drivers how to alter<br />

their driv<strong>in</strong>g behavior to <strong>in</strong>crease<br />

their fuel efficiency and thus reduce<br />

greenhouse gas emissions. This<br />

<strong>in</strong>cludes measures such as avoid<strong>in</strong>g<br />

rapid accelerations and brak<strong>in</strong>g,<br />

avoid<strong>in</strong>g speed<strong>in</strong>g, proper gear<br />

shift<strong>in</strong>g, and the usage of cruise<br />

control. In-vehicle <strong>in</strong>strumentation<br />

to provide real-time feedback on fuel<br />

economy can be used as a standalone<br />

eco-driv<strong>in</strong>g strategy, or <strong>in</strong><br />

comb<strong>in</strong>ation with driver tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />

programs.<br />

• Vehicle Ma<strong>in</strong>tenance and Equipment – Public awareness campaigns or other methods<br />

can be used to teach drivers how to properly ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> and equip their vehicle to<br />

achieve the greatest fuel efficiency and to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Such<br />

measures <strong>in</strong>clude proper tire <strong>in</strong>flation, lower roll<strong>in</strong>g resistance tires, and lower<br />

viscosity motor oil.<br />

Eco-driv<strong>in</strong>g programs are becom<strong>in</strong>g common <strong>in</strong> Europe, with some of the most extensive<br />

programs be<strong>in</strong>g implemented <strong>in</strong> the Netherlands due to their lack of compliance with<br />

European air quality standards. The Netherlands program is called the New Driv<strong>in</strong>g<br />

Campaign, and was started <strong>in</strong> 2000 by the M<strong>in</strong>istry of Transport, Environment, and<br />

Economic Affairs. It aims to <strong>in</strong>crease fuel efficiency through driver tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g and energy<br />

usage labels for tires and vehicles (ICF, 2008). In Sweden, eco-driver tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g became<br />

mandatory <strong>in</strong> driver education program for new drivers start<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> 2006, and for taxidrivers’<br />

licenses <strong>in</strong> 2007. There are no known mandatory eco-driv<strong>in</strong>g tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g programs <strong>in</strong><br />

the U.S., although there are some public education campaigns such as<br />

www.DriveSmarterChallenge.org, which is be<strong>in</strong>g led and evaluated by the Alliance to<br />

Save Energy. Also, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is currently<br />

evaluat<strong>in</strong>g a proposed eco-driv<strong>in</strong>g program.<br />

Driv<strong>in</strong>g practices can also have an impact on truck fuel economy. Even highly<br />

experienced drivers can enhance fuel economy us<strong>in</strong>g techniques such as cruise control,<br />

5-98<br />

Driver Education/Eco-Driv<strong>in</strong>g<br />

Benefits: Moderate-High: 18-94 mmt CO2e <strong>in</strong> 2030<br />

Direct Costs: Not estimated<br />

Net Included Costs: Net Sav<strong>in</strong>gs: $0 to -$230 per<br />

tonne<br />

Confidence <strong>in</strong> Estimates: Low-Moderate<br />

• Benefits will depend upon widespread and<br />

susta<strong>in</strong>ed implementation over time<br />

Key Cobenefits and Impacts: Positive<br />

• Reduction <strong>in</strong> air pollutants and vehicle<br />

operat<strong>in</strong>g costs<br />

Feasibility: Moderate<br />

• Unproven ability to implement widespread<br />

education/tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g campaigns<br />

Key Policy Options:<br />

• Requirements for <strong>in</strong>-vehicle feedback<br />

<strong>in</strong>strumentation and revisions to driver<br />

education curricula<br />

• Fund<strong>in</strong>g for education programs

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