Effects of Miles Per Gallon Feedback on Fuel Efficiency in Gas-Powered Cars

This study tested the impact of continuous miles per gallon (MPG) feedback on driving behavior and fuel efficiency in gas-powered cars. The authors compared an experimental condition, where drivers received real-time MPG feedback and a tip sheet, to a control condition without such feedback at the time the experimental participants received it. The authors had three study aims: (1) to modify the fuel efficiency obtained while driving gas-powered cars; (2) to modify the driving behaviors of drivers of gas-powered cars; and (3) to explore ways to improve the feedback display among users. The study found an average MPG improvement of 7.5% over a one-month feedback period, an effect that 15% of the time would be observed by chance. This provides an unclear foundation for broad implementation of the fuel-economy feedback intervention. Although the appeal of a low-cost and easy-to-distribute feedback device that would improve fuel economy by 7.5% is strong, it must be tempered by an analysis of cost effectiveness.

• Record URL:
  http://www.uvm.edu/~transctr/research/trc_reports/UVM-TRC-10-004.pdf
• 
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/65867
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Vermont, Burlington

  Transportation Research Center
  210 Colchester Avenue
  Burlington, VT  United States  05405-1757

  Vermont Energy Investment Corporation

  255 S Champlain Street
  Burlington, VT  United States  05401-4894
• Authors:
  • Solomon, Laura
  • Lange, Nick
  • Schwob, MIchael
  • Callas, Peter
• Publication Date: 2009-10-20

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 29p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobile drivers; Automobile driving; Automobiles; Behavior modification; Cost effectiveness; Fuel consumption; Gasoline; Real time information
• Uncontrolled Terms: Driver feedback; Fuel efficiency
• Subject Areas: Energy; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01160585
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: UVM TRC Report # 10-004
• Files: NTL, TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 13 2010 4:18PM