Driving style and traffic measures-influence on vehicle emissions and fuel consumption

Abstract

This paper describes the influence on vehicle emissions and energy consumption of different vehicle parameters and driving style as well as of traffic measures taken in order to increase transport safety or to reduce traffic jams. This should allow the Flemish Regional Government to perform more realistic modelling of the impact of transport on air pollution. The methodology is based on on-road measurements, roll-bench emission tests, vehicle simulations and regional emission modelling (for the Flemish Region, which encompasses the northern part of Belgium and is one of three entities that constitute the Federal Kingdom of Belgium). A vehicle simulation programme (VSP) has assisted in the assessment of the individual vehicle parameters (weight, gear shifts, tyre pressure, etc.). Different drive styles (sportive, EcoDriving, etc.) were measured on-road and evaluated on a roll-bench. Typical speed profiles corresponding to different traffic measures such as roundabouts, phased traffic lights, etc., were also recorded at different locations in the Flemish Region. All data were distilled into small driving cycles, representative of a certain traffic situation or driving style, and repeated on a roll-bench to measure the emissions in controlled circumstances. Technical solutions as well as educational programmes are proposed as possible measures to reduce the influence of driving style on emissions and fuel consumption. Finally, the results indicate how the emission calculations performed by the Flemish government can be improved.