Road Trains for UK Roads?
Road trains that link vehicles together using wireless sensors could soon be on British roads and help reduce UK businesses fuel consumption.
An EU-financed research project is looking at inexpensive ways of getting vehicles to travel in a ‘platoon’ on Europe’s motorways, thereby cutting fuel consumption, journey times and congestion by linking vehicles together. Early work on the idea suggests that fuel consumption could be cut by 20% among those cars and trucks travelling behind the lead vehicle. The lead vehicle would be handled by a professional driver who would monitor the status of the road train. Those in following vehicles could take their hands off the wheel, read a book or watch TV, while they travel along the motorway. Their vehicle would be controlled by the lead vehicle.
A Lex Autolease Survey reveals the reaction to the scheme by British business drivers:
Q1. As a business driver, do you think ‘road trains’ on UK roads are a good idea?
- Yes 59%
- No 41%
Q2. When taking part in a ‘road train’, would you be happy in the knowledge your vehicle would be under ‘automatic control?’
- Yes 58%
- No 42%
Q3. Do you think that the Government should change the laws regarding mobile phone usage in a vehicle, if you are part of a ‘road train?’
- Yes 56%
- No 44%
Q4. Would you do work in a vehicle that is part of a ‘road train’ whilst not having to control the vehicle?
- Yes 50%
- No 50%
Q5. If you were in a vehicle that was part of a ‘road train’, and you had an accident, who do you think should be held responsible?
- Road train driver 50%
- You 50%
Lex Autolease Comment:
Initiatives to reduce business drivers’ fuel consumption and therefore the impact on their company’s bottom line should be welcomed, however with road trains currently being trialled, in the short-term there are a number of strategies that British businesses can adopt with a view to reducing their fleets fuel bill.
Lex Autolease works with clients to help them reduce their fuel bill. Driver training and changes in driver behaviour has a significant impact on fuel consumption, thereby having a positive impact on a company’s bottom line.
In addition, drivers who follow the following tips will see a change in fuel consumption:
Lex Autolease’ driver tips to improve fuel efficiency
- Efficient driving; changing gear at around 2,000rpm reduces fuel use and CO2 emissions
- Read the road; anticipate hazards so that you can avoid heavy braking and unnecessarily sharp acceleration
- Cut the air conditioning; only use when necessary; it can knock up to 3mpg off your fuel consumption
- Get going quickly; drive away soon after you have started the engine; it warms up more quickly reducing fuel consumption
- Accelerate briskly but not aggressively; it’s better to press the accelerator pedal down further in a higher gear than to run the engine up to high revs
- Shift into top gear as soon as you can; drive in fifth gear from around 30mph and keep to low revs (between 2000 – 3000rpm) whenever possible
- Don’t ruin the aerodynamics; only fit roof racks and boxes when absolutely necessary, they increase aerodynamic drag considerably
- Cruise moderately; travelling at 65mph rather than 70mph can reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 25%
- Plan your journey; going the long way round, getting lost and running into road works can increase your journey considerably
- Check your tyres; running your tyres under-inflated can increase fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 3%
- Remove unnecessary weight; carrying additional weight in your vehicle will have a significant negative effect on your fuel consumption especially in stop/start traffic
- Keep your vehicle in good shape; a regularly serviced vehicle will be more fuel efficient, as well as safer
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