Published: April 2012 | Category: Economic development , Research programme , Research & reports | Audience: General
The aim of this research, undertaken in 2009-2011, was to identify ways of overcoming the barriers faced by managers of New Zealand's light and heavy vehicle fleets in attempting to implement fuel efficiency as part of their normal way of doing business. It included a review of best practice documents, interviews and meetings with fleet managers and key stakeholders, and case studies.
A strong link can be found between fuel efficiency and safety. Many of the ways of improving them are the same: managing speed, anticipating the situation ahead, reducing aggressive driving, checking tyre pressures, vehicle maintenance and reducing the amount of travel.
The common feature of fuel efficiency programmes and the successfully implemented fuel efficiency and safety management practices is the adoption of evidence-based practice. The report provides a model based on what worked best for the case study fleets and others who have been successful in improving fuel efficiency and safety.
The report recommends a number of ways to assist fleets with the adoption of evidence-based practice for saving fuel, improving productivity, improving safety and reducing emissions, eg awareness raising, the use of incentives, encouraging the appointment of fuel champions in fleets, and providing advice and training.
Keywords: heavy commercial vehicle, heavy vehicle fleet, light vehicle fleet, fuel efficiency, fleet management, management, New Zealand, safety, transport productivity, trucks
