FUEL CONSUMPTION, TIME SAVING AND FREEWAY SPEED LIMITS

Fuel consumption data from a manual and automobile Holden Commodore during cruise conditions have been used to assess the fuel and time implications of speed limits on a Perth freeway that has a current speed limit of 80 km/h. An optimal fuel efficiency speed of 55 km/h was found in line with previous research work using a wide range of vehicles. Increases in the speed limit above 80 km/h involve progressively greater fuel penalties of up to 31 per cent at 110 km/h for an 8 km length of freeway, together with time savings up to 23 per cent at 110 km/h. Additional data from Perth's driving cycle suggest that Perth currently has over a third of its daily travel at speeds above the optimal fuel efficiency cruise speed of 55 km/h. Some simulated urban trips under controlled cruise conditions indicate that average speed alone can be a misleading criterion in the assessment of the energy efficiency of a road system. Policies that encourage further increases in cruise speeds such as increased speed limits, freeway building and road widening will be counter productive for energy conservation. On the other hand policies that minimise stops and idling periods while keeping cruise speeds close to 55 km/h will save fuel. (Author/TRRL)

• Corporate Authors:

  Murdoch University, Australia

  South Street
  Murdoch, Western Australia,   Australia 
• Authors:
  • Kenworthy, J R
  • NEWMAN, PWG
  • Rainford, H
  • Lyons, T J
• Publication Date: 1984

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 22 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Data collection; Economic efficiency; Energy conservation; Engine idling; Freeways; Fuel consumption; Running speed; Simulation; Speed limits; Stopped time delays; Travel time; Trip length; Urban areas; Vehicles
• Uncontrolled Terms: Efficiency
• Geographic Terms: Australia
• Old TRIS Terms: Idling
• ITRD Terms: 8006: Australia; 8623: Data acquisition; 5911: Efficiency; 212: Energy conservation; 232: Fuel consumption; 1808: Idling (engine); 697: Journey time; 6473: Mathematical model; 2752: Motorway; 9103: Simulation; 624: Speed limit; 313: Urban area; 1255: Vehicle
• Subject Areas: Economics; Energy; Environment; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Vehicles and Equipment; I73: Traffic Control; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00399459
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ITRD, TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 25 2004 1:42AM