Effects of Congestion and Road Level of Service on Vehicle Fuel Economy

This study evaluates the effects of road level of service on fuel economy for light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles. It is generally understood that vehicles driving under severe start-stop cycles in congested traffic use more fuel than vehicles traveling at a slow, steady-state speed. Many studies have attempted to quantify wasted fuel from congestion, but these are generally based on emission factors that vary by average speed but that do not account for variations in congestion levels. At the same time, modal emissions models, which estimate fuel consumption on a second-by-second basis, have evolved considerably, and are today very reliable if good input data are available. This analysis utilizes EPA’s MOVES/PERE to examine the effects of congestion for different vehicle types, model years, vehicle weights, and engine technologies. Standard driving cycles distinguished by road level of service are considered. The main results are presented for the 2010 calendar year, but this study also addresses how level of service will affect average fuel economy through 2030. Finally, this study examines the advantages of accelerating the introduction of advanced fuel technologies since these are expected to operate more efficiently in congested conditions than conventional engines. The results from this analysis can assist practitioners seeking to evaluate the impacts of congestion (and transportation improvements) on fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Facanha, Cristiano
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 88th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2009-1-11 to 2009-1-15
• Date: 2009

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: DVD
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 18p
• Monograph Title: TRB 88th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers DVD

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Environment; Exhaust gases; Greenhouse gases; Heavy duty vehicles; Level of service; Pollutants; Starting (Driving); Steady state; Stopping; Traffic congestion; Traffic speed
• Uncontrolled Terms: Average fuel economy
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; I15: Environment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01126819
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 09-0268
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Apr 17 2009 9:56AM