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Drivers wanted for Metro fuel study

Metro Vancouver wants to teach drivers to be fuel efficient.
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Metro Vancouver is recruiting 200 drivers for a seven-week driving study to reduce fuel consumption, save money and cut air emissions.

The Metro Vancouver Smart Drive Challenge aims to get drivers to use 15 per cent less fuel through efficient driving techniques.

“Personal transportation is one of the biggest contributors to climate change and degraded urban air quality,” said Derek Corrigan, chair of Metro Vancouver’s Climate Action Committee. “Studies like this are an important part of meeting our greenhouse gas reductions targets of 33 per cent below 2007 levels by 2020 and 80 per cent below 2007 levels by 2050.”

A ‘smart’ device will be connected to the vehicle’s computer will track the consumption. The wireless device tracks fuel consumption and vehicle movement information which is displayed daily on an online dashboard.

For the first three weeks, participants will drive normally while the device collects baseline data. Then, participants will watch a 30-minute online training course and during the last three weeks of the study, participants will endeavour to apply efficient driving techniques to reduce fuel consumption.

The goal of the study is to better understand the effectiveness of training and feedback in helping drivers reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. Following the study, results will be analysed and used as a basis for developing future programs.

“Everyone can help make air quality better within our region,” said Greg Moore, chair of Metro Vancouver. “We hope that giving people better feedback about their driving will help them make choices on the road that contribute towards sustainable transportation goals.”

How the Smart Drive Challenge Works

• Apply between Aug. 15 and Sept. 30 (participation is free)

• Connect ‘smart’ device to your vehicle’s on-board diagnostics port.

• Drive normally for three weeks to establish baseline data.

• Complete online Smart Drive Training Course (approximately 30 minutes).

• Apply efficient driving techniques for three weeks.

• Track daily progress via online dashboard or email notification, comparing how you do to other anonymous participants.

The 200 drivers must meet certain criteria:

• Metro Vancouver resident

• Valid “Class 5” licence or better

• Frequent driver (five days a week or more)

• 1997 model or newer vehicle

• Clean driving record

For more information or to apply, visit: https://smartdrivemetrovancouver.ca.