It has long been recognised that inappropriate driver behaviour is an important contributory factor in the majority of road accidents. Driver behaviour is also critical in determining the fuel consumption, vehicle noise and exhaust emission rates during a trip. Technological developments in the control of noise and exhaust emissions and the enforcement of legislation will probably be key elements in reducing the environmental impacts of road transport, but increasingly the actions of motorists are also being targeted by other means. This report reviews the evidence on whether driver training can reduce fuel consumption, emissions and noise and also considers how training schemes could be encouraged more widely. The use of in-vehicle technologies to reduce the environmental impact of driving is also examined. The research has been conducted through a review of relevant published literature and interviews with fleet managers, training organisations and insurers. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting