ASSESSING THE EFFECT OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION ON MOTOR VEHICLE FUEL CONSUMPTION

This report estimates the part of the UK road transport fuel consumption which is due to traffic congestion. The assessment is based on past surveys of journey speeds in towns, conurbations and greater London together with data relating fuel consumption to average speed. The estimated potential saving in the use of road transport fuel if traffic congestion could be reduced from peak to off-peak conditions with the same number of vehicle journeys is 1.5 per cent. A further saving of 4.6 per cent would be achieved if it were possible to reduce off-peak traffic conditions to ideal "free-flow" traffic conditions with an average traffic speed of 50 km/h. These comparatively small savings reflect the small amount of driving that takes place in congested areas over the whole country. (Author/TRRL)

• Corporate Authors:

  Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)

  Wokingham, Berkshire  United Kingdom 
• Authors:
  • Gyenes, L
• Publication Date: 1980

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 19 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Average travel speed; Energy conservation; Estimating; Estimation theory; Fuel consumption; Metropolitan areas; Motor vehicles; Off peak periods; Peak periods; Speed; Towns; Traffic; Traffic congestion; Traffic flow; Traffic speed; Travel time; Trip length
• Uncontrolled Terms: Decreases
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Old TRIS Terms: Off-peak traffic
• ITRD Terms: 5409: Average speed; 632: Congestion (traffic); 385: Conurbation; 9009: Decrease; 212: Energy conservation; 132: Forecast; 232: Fuel consumption; 697: Journey time; 612: Peak hour; 5408: Speed; 8119: United Kingdom; 313: Urban area
• Subject Areas: Energy; Environment; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Vehicles and Equipment; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00330773
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Report/Paper Numbers: TRRL SR613 Monograph
• Files: ITRD, TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 15 1981 12:00AM