EVALUATION OF GASTELL: A DEVICE TO MODIFY DRIVING HABITS

In general, the EPA testing of the Gastell Device did not show a positive benefit from its use. None of the Phase I chassis Dynamometer tests with the device installed showed a positive fuel economy effect. Four vehicles of varying size and power-to-weight ratio were road tested in San Antonio (with from one to two drivers each) and only one vehicle/driver combination showed a fuel economy improvement (5%). It is concluded from the test data available that only drivers with aggressive driving behavior (or other driving habits that involve excessive throttle manipulation) could benefit from use of this device and then only if: (1) their vehicle happened to have the fuel economy response characteristics that favorably matched the activation setting of the device, and (2) the driver consistently responded to the device signal and refrained from such aggressive driving.

• Corporate Authors:

  Environmental Protection Agency

  Test and Evaluation Branch, 2565 Plymouth Road
  Ann Arbor, MI  United States  48105
• Authors:
  • BARTH, E A
• Publication Date: 1981-2

Media Info

• Pagination: 50 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acceleration (Mechanics); Aggression; Automobiles; Driving; Dynamometers; Equipment; Evaluation; Fuel consumption; Performance evaluations; Throttles; Vehicle weight
• Uncontrolled Terms: Driving habits
• Old TRIS Terms: Acceleration physics; Throttling
• Subject Areas: Energy; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety; I95: Vehicle Inspection;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00346493
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: EPA-AA-TEB-81-13
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 29 1982 12:00AM