LCV SAFED pilot scheme report
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Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) SAFED Pilot Scheme Handout
Introduction
This handout summarises the outcome of a pilot scheme to develop a Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED) scheme for light commercial vehicles. This builds on the successful SAFED programme, which was originally designed by Momenta for Large Goods Vehicles (LGVs) that ended in 2005. The pilot study was carried out in consultation with industry stakeholders and involved trials with a sample of van drivers. The key output from the pilot was the production of a LCV SAFED guide, which specifies a driving course design and an effective method of assessing driver performance.
Course Design
Momenta and DriveTech have worked in close consultation over the past few months to design a course that is practicable and follows the principles of SAFED. Having reviewed the SAFED LGV guide, we have tried to retain some of the concepts that have proved to be successful, whilst also looking at developing the areas that are not necessarily relevant to, or are exclusive to, van drivers.
Course Attendance
The drivers for the Pilot Scheme came from DriveTech's client list. DriveTech trained four drivers during the first phase of the pilot scheme that ran from late September through to early October, with the second phase running through October and into November 2005. The pilot scheme trained a total of twenty five drivers.
The training day started with a presentation to set some parameters, generally inform and put the drivers 'at ease' for the training ahead. The presentation would last between forty five and sixty minutes and covered the following topics;
- Braking distances
- Vehicle dimensions
- Care of the load
- Reversing and manoeuvring
- Speed limits
- Gear use
- Fuel economy
- Time pressures
- Route planning
This was delivered by means of a presentation in a classroom environment conducive to learning.
Training course design needed be tailored towards the individual van driver and concentrate on 'getting the job done' in a safe and efficient manner. Consequently, the on-road training was split into manageable sessions of approximately twenty to thirty minutes. The sessions began with the driver checking the vehicle for defects and the trainer checking the driving licence and eyesight of the attendees.
The on-road training in the Pilot Scheme was conducted in a LDV Maxus van sourced through the Royal Mail. Fuel consumption was monitored using a factory fitted fuel flow meter.
In the first on-road session the driver followed a set route, driving in their 'normal style'. The trainer then gave feedback as to the main safety and legal issues that might have arisen during the drive, in addition to constructive comments on the driver's skill level, fuel economy and driving technique.
A demonstration drive then followed, highlighting how the driver could drive more efficiently whilst still making progress. The demonstration drive was based around the RoadCraft style of advanced driving, recognised by many organisations as the best all round driving package.
The driver then took the wheel for a second time, undergoing training in the LCV SAFED principles and given a chance to implement and practice the techniques shown during the demonstration drive. The subsequent debrief allowed the trainer and driver to discuss progress made and further improvements needed by the driver.
The final session followed the same route as the first assessment drive, looking at and logging the differences in driving style and progress made.
Course Evaluation
A report was prepared on each driver based on a standard format specified by the newly designed SAFED course. Drivers commented on different aspects of the course. Many expressed surprise that the route did not take any longer to complete and believed that the techniques were easy to apply during normal 'day to day' driving.
Pilot Course Results
Below is a list of the findings of the SAFED Pilot Study:
- A total of twenty five drivers were trained between September and November 2005
- All drivers used a 3.5 tonne unladen vehicle
- Eight drivers were trained from the Royal Mail
- The rest (seventeen drivers) were from various 'Sainsbury's to You' stores
- Of the twenty five drivers, two were female and twenty three male
- Six drivers were trained in their own vehicles and their fuel use was calculated by the amount of fuel required to replenish the fuel tank after each assessment drive
- The remaining drivers were trained and assessed in a van fitted with a fuel monitoring device supplied by LDV
- Fuel consumption dropped in twenty three of the twenty five drivers assessed
- Of the drivers that reduced their fuel consumption in the first phase, the average fuel reduction was 11.5%
- Of the drivers that reduced their fuel consumption in the second phase, the average fuel reduction was 8.21%
- Overall an average of 9.52% fuel use reduction over the course of the Pilot Study was achieved
- The average journey length was nine miles, covering predominately urban and rural roads as per the average journey of vans in the UK
- The assessment drives lasted approximately twenty five minutes and followed the same route on both occasions
- There was no increase in the time that the route took to complete (apart from two drivers caught in traffic) and in some cases the timing of the route even reduced
- Gear changes were reduced by an average of 59% over both phases of the pilot study
Additional and Projected Benefits
There were numerous benefits that were evident from the SAFED pilot. These included improvements in fuel economy, a reduction in gear use, clutch, brakes and tyre wear and no increase in journey length. Additional positive outcomes included a favourable response from the drivers towards reduced stress levels as well as the ease at which the training techniques could be adopted. Drivers reported that their fatigue levels were reduced as a result of doing less physical work in the vehicle and by having a more controlled approach to hazards. The drivers also indicated that they had more time to assess the actions of other drivers.
In the long term, if the SAFED style of driving and fuel monitoring is continued, there could be significant changes in the running costs of a van fleet. In particular, parking and manoeuvring incidents could be lowered following SAFED training as many drivers currently do not receive any formal training in low speed manoeuvring of a vehicle of this size.
For further information please contact:
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Stephen Richardson Tel: 0870 190 6237 |
Steve Dethick Tel: 01344 773 144 |
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