Dear Ladies and Gentleman,

there are numerous ways to effectively implement ecologically friendly and economically efficient driving styles with clean public transport vehicles such as e-buses.
Following the successful introduction of safe eco-driving programs with all partners of the ACTUATE project, it has become apparent that ultimately the individual drivers will help achieve the greatest levels of energy savings. It is therefore essential to train all drivers so that they can understand how their driving style can directly save money and protect the environment through reduced energy use. This applies to all vehicles, be they buses, trams, trains or trucks. If one adds up all of the small daily savings per vehicle, huge global savings on operating costs, energy consumption and therefore also pollution can be achieved each year! This not only helps save money but also allows organizations to meet politically-mandated climate control targets.
There are many different options for training drivers in eco-driving methods and to ensure that energy and cost-saving measures are implemented effectively. These include the use of driving simulators, the installation of driver assistance systems in the cabs of vehicles or simply also the application of proper tire pressure. Applying the latest trends in vehicle design and aerodynamics during the production stage also helps create more fuel-efficient vehicles. The ACTUATE program has started an extensive process of know-how transfer and knowledge sharing to achieve all of these goals. Such “Train the Trainers” workshops have already taken place in Salzburg for trolleybus drivers and in Leipzig for tram staff. Read all about it in this newsletter!

Study at TU Berlin shows how driving simulators allow professional drivers to safely and effectively learn eco-driving skills, enabling up to 30% of fuel savingsText

The Technische Universität Berlin and the SiFaT Roadsafety GmbH recently conducted a case study and associated training exercise for 15 professional truck drivers. The goal was to evaluate whether smart eco-driving skills could also be taught “off road” and in a simulator. The simulated environment obviously offers a wide range of advantages, as it allows the participants to learn the new methods in a sheltered and safe environment without the risk of material damage or personal injury, as otherwise could occur in a real world situation. Thanks to a simulator, improved eco-driving skills can be taught without actual fuel consumption or air pollution! more

Eco-driving and more comfort for all BOGESTRA passengers in Bochum thanks to IT-driving-assistance

Since February 2013, the public transport company of the German city of Bochum, BOGESTRA, has successfully used an IT-driving-assistance system to support drivers in driving eco-friendly. The the MiX RIBAS® system developed by the German automotive and telematics company Kienzle was first implemented by BOGESTRA as part of a pilot project to promote regional cooperation in the Ruhr area. It was therefore installed on 20 buses based at the depot in Ückendorf. As an innovative system that enables more economic and ecologically-friendly driving, MiX RIBAS® provides the driver with real-time analysis of energy consumption and vehicle vibration, indicating if energy usage can be reduced and passenger comfort enhanced. more