Catarina Rolim

Real-Time Feedback Impacts on Eco-Driving Behavior and Influential Variables in Fuel Consumption in a Lisbon Urban Bus Operator

The main purposes of this research were, in a first stage, to assess the impacts of real-time feedback on the driving behavior of bus drivers, considering vehicle age and type and drivers experience and, in a second stage, to identify the main influential variables in fuel consumption. Data was collected with an on-board device used by a Portuguese urban bus transport operator. Significant increases in the performance of undesirable events were observed without real-time feedback, followed by decreases with the restart of real-time feedback. Higher increases (between 6% and 170%) were observed when driving Mini vehicles in comparison with other bus types, particularly in extreme accelerations, excess rpm, extreme braking, and hard starts. Furthermore, a General Linear Model was applied to assess the most influential variables on fuel consumption. Vehicle type and age are the most influential variables on fuel consumption, with minibuses presenting higher increases when compared with standard buses. Increases up to 3% were observed leading to an extra 3769 liters of fuel consumed when feedback was not provided. Decreases in fuel consumption between 0.3% and 2% were observed with real-time feedback, avoiding the consumption of 4280 L of fuel. The results obtained in this paper provide bus companies with insightful information for the development of future operational strategies and training programs.

Car Sharing Systems as a Sustainable Transport Policy: A Case Study from Lisbon, Portugal

Originality/value Overall, the results obtained from this research work quantify the contribution of car sharing to sustainable transport and highlights the positive effects of promoting a technological shift. These facts reinforce the need for public policies to support the integration of car sharing within the city’s solutions to promote a more sustainable mobility. The successful deployment of car sharing systems can be influenced by policies targeting features such as allocation of parking, the fees and complementarity with public transport, signage and markings, and marketing of social and environmental benefits.

ICT for Mobility Pattern and Driver Behavior Characterization: Trial Case-Study in the City of Lisbon, Portugal

The use of information and communication technologies (ICT) may provide additional opportunities for energy savings and avoided emissions in the transportation sector, namely by using on-board devices for large scale urban sensing on the road network. This research work presents a preliminary analysis, using an on-board device, of the mobility patterns of a five driver sample in Lisbon, Portugal. The results for the average driver are: 54 km traveled and 5 trips per day; average trip distance of 11 km; and average speed of 31 km/h. Weekdays are characterized with higher vehicle usage (7% more distance, 28% more time and 10% more trips). Aggressiveness indicators are concentrated 80% on weekdays and the comparison of driving patterns indicates up to 58% of variations on fuel consumption. The monitoring technology used allows a seamless transition to longer monitoring periods and sample enlarging with more robust and accurate results.

Electric vehicle adopters' motivation, utilization patterns and environmental impacts: A Lisbon case study

This work aims was to assess electric vehicle (EV) users motivations, daily patterns and vehicle operation and management. The project was promoted by EMEL - Lisbons mobility and parking management company, and was publicized among Lisbons EV users, who were offered, as an incentive, a green permit which allowed them to park for free in the citys metropolitan central area. Data was gathered over a period of one year from 25 users (private and fleet drivers) with interviews and on-board diaries, comprising a total of 5132 trips, 49785 km travelled and a total of 8529 kWh charged related to 831 charges. Private users mention environmental and economic (lower running costs) factors as main reasons for adoption, while fleet drivers also stand out the companys image as a motive to deploy this technology in fleets. EV reveals considerable reductions in both energy consumption and CO2 emissions in a Well-to-Wheel life cycle approach, reaching 35-43% and 58-63%, respectively, when compared with conventional internal combustion engine vehicles (gasoline and diesel).