| EMT Madrid demonstration in RECODRIVE project |
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Madrid (Spain)
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| The Municipal Transport Company of Madrid (E.M.T.) has implemented a demonstration of RECODRIVE project measures with the support of Spanish project partner BESEL, in order to evaluate the benefits obtained in terms of energy saving and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. |
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Background & ObjectivesThe Madrid Municipal Transport Company S.A. (EMT) is the institution that provides regular group transport service in Madrid. With more than two thousand urban buses, EMT is the largest urban surface transport company in Spain and one of the largest in Europe.
Efficient use of vehicles is a very important aspect for EMT. Since 1990, EMT new drivers have been trained in “economic driving” - a set of actions to save fuel and to drive in an efficient way. Since 2007 ecodriving courses for drivers have been implemented in EMT. In June 2009 more than 50% of drivers (3.159) had been trained in these courses, achieving an average fuel saving of 15%.
Regarding the RECODRIVE project, EMT has joined as a demonstrator in Spain implementing a Recognition Scheme among drivers involved in the action, all of them trained in ecodriving techniques. The main goal was to get an additional 5% reduction in the fuel consumption.
ImplementationIn the RECODRIVE project EMT is testing measures utilising three new buses for the demonstration; three driver teams have been involved with two drivers in each team.
After a previous test phase in order to evaluate the actual fuel consumption and performance of these three buses, a training workshop was organised by EMT and BESEL on July 2009. Then the drivers were informed about the RECODRIVE project and the demonstration which is being carried out in EMT, including rewarding and recognition schemes. This caused a positive discussion among the drivers, the management staff and the EMT ecodriving trainer who attended the event. All drivers involved in the demonstration expressed their commitment to reduce fuel consumption in order to achieve established objectives during the test.
The final phase of the demonstration showed that the drivers succeed in their commitment reaching an average fuel consumption reduction of 3,6%. |
It is easy to understand what that reduction could mean for a company which travels more than one hundred million kilometres per year: a saving of more than two million of fuel litres per year and five thousand tons of CO2 emissions.
ConclusionsAlthough the main goal of 5% saving has not been reached, EMT considers the result as a success. The starting point of the demonstration was a low fuel consumption scenario, due to the fact that the drivers were already trained in ecodriving. This means it is possible to improve the results on fuel consumption if the drivers have the commitment to do it. Drivers are the key.
It is important to underline EMT is a public company, so it was not possible to provide any monetary rewards in this case. The Scheme consisted of public recognition of the drivers involved in the demonstration and presentation of a certificate. In conclusion, motivation with recognition has shown itself to reach higher savings with ecodriving, although it can be strengthened with other types of rewarding schemes.
AuthorJosé Luis Vázquez
Contact José Luis Vázquez
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Beyond eco-driving - fuel savings multiply when fleet management meets eco-driving for all kinds of fleets