Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/668965
2 0 1 6 V 1 | BULLDOG | 1 1 Driver behavior Skilled commercial vehicle operators can have a huge impact on your fleet's overall fuel efficiency, impacting both your eco-friendly goals and financial ones. With training, moni- toring and recognition, drivers can improve how fuel efficiently they drive. According to the American Trucking Associations' Technology and Maintenance Council, there is a 35-percent difference between the most and least efficient drivers. The most fuel-efficient ones have these best practices in common: • Maintain a high, but not maximum, aver- age speed. • Operate a large percentage of the trip distance in top gear. • Utilize cruise control when possible. • Minimize time spent idling. • Minimize the number of sudden decelera- tions (hard braking) and accelerations. Fleets that offer driver training courses and rewards and incentives to high-performing dispatchers as well. Spec'ing for better fuel economy and lower emissions While lower diesel prices have slowed the rush to alternative fuels, many fleets continue to use alternative fuels. And switching to alternative fuel is not the only way to make trucks operate with better fuel economy. Mike Roeth, executive director of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency, says his organization has identified nearly 70 technologies or practices fleets can use to improve miles per gallon of diesel fuel used. NACFE developed a website, truckingeffi- ciency.org, that has broken the technology into nine key areas: idle reduction, chassis, tires and rolling resistance, powertrain, tractor aerodynamics, trailer aerodynamics and refresher courses for fuel-efficient driving see payoffs not only in fuel economy, but also in their safety records. Training can be accomplished one on one with top trainers, through one-day group courses or by utilizing various simulator pro- grams that teach drivers optimized-shifting techniques. Fuel-bonus programs that incentivize fuel conservation typically use a points system to provide monetary rewards to drivers who exceed the fleet's goals. Some initiatives, including C.R. England's Harley Davidson program, offer big-ticket items such as motorcycles to drivers who meet requirements. Dispatcher behavior Dispatchers' skills in routing through weather, geographic obstacles and congestion have been shown to improve fuel economy between 5 and 20 percent. Consider offering Resources: Green Truck Association http://www.greentruckassociation.com/ The Green Fleet Coalition http://www.greenfleetcoalition.com/ US Green Building Council http://www.usgbc.org/ Energy Star https://www.energystar.gov Natural Gas Vehicles for America http://www.ngvamerica.org/ Trucking Efficiency http://truckingefficiency.org/ Photo by Carmen K. Sisson