FUEL SAVINGS POTENTIAL OF LOW-COST TRAFFIC ENGINEERING IMPROVEMENTS

The objective of this project was to develop priorities for certain low-cost urban traffic engineering improvements based on their potential for saving fuel. The study procedure involved the use of a test vehicle equipped with a precision fuel meter. Test runs were conducted on selected routes in Albuquerque and in offroad simulated conditions. Data from the field tests were processed with linear regression techniques to develop a model for the prediction of a rate of fuel consumption. The principal independent variable in the model is the rate of vehicular motion, although a correction for gradient is required to provide consistency between the model and the results of field tests. The model was applied to certain traffic improvements that could not be evaluated through before-and-after field tests. With respect to fuel saving, the most cost-effective improvements were found to be flashing signal operation, use of longer curb radii, and better use of existing coordinated signal systems and one-way streets. Pedestrian grade separations at school crossings cannot be justified solely on the basis of fuel savings, and the operation of neighborhood traffic diverters was found to result in an excess of fuel use. (Author)

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1981/816/816-004.pdf
• Record URL:
  https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=FUEL+SAVINGS+POTENTIAL+OF+LOW-COST+TRAFFIC+ENGINEERING+IMPROVEMENTS&author=J.+Hall&publication_year=1981
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309032571
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Transportation System Management. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Authors:
  • Hall, J W
• Conference:
  • 60th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board
  • Location: Washington District of Columbia, United States
  • Date: 1981-1-12 to 1981-1-16
• Publication Date: 1981

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 28-35
• Monograph Title: Transportation system management, parking, enforcement and other issues
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 816
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Before and after studies; Cost effectiveness; Crosswalks; Curbs; Energy conservation; Field tests; Flashing traffic signals; Fuel consumption; Grade separations; One way traffic; Radius; Simulation; Traffic diversion; Traffic engineering; Traffic signal control systems
• Subject Areas: Energy; Environment; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00345946
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309032571
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Feb 27 1982 12:00AM