Best Practices for Developing Green
Fleet Driving Safety Programs
Greg Cupper
EcoFleet Training Solutions
A Division of Logical Training Solutions, LLC
Modesto, CA
Company Overview
Modesto based education/training with No.
California primary service area
Combined focus of safer drivers and reducing
fuel consumption and carbon emissions
Provides classroom on-site defensive driving
courses / also retail programs and GPS devices
Presentation Overview
 How do eco-friendly driving techniques work
What results can businesses/ government
agencies expect when implement green(er)
fleets
How can businesses integrate an eco-friendly
fleet operation within safety
5 Best Practices for Green Fleet Operators
Update of the Numbers
• Good news:
– Fatalities are way down from high in 1990’s
– Continuous decrease until last year (2012)
– Fatality rate per 100 million miles traveled (Vehicle
Miles Traveled – VMT) was 1.10 - the lowest ever
recorded
– Incidence of alcohol-related fatalities at historic low
Update of the Numbers (continued)
• Now the bad news:
– Leading cause of occupational deaths is driving
– 10.5 % increase (2012 over 2011) of pedestrian
related distraction (e.g. texting) fatalities
– $60 Billion cost impact to employers (NHTSA, 2000)
– Number of vehicle related employee collision
lawsuits increases annually
Summary
Someone dies every 12 minutes in a crash
Someone is injured every 10 seconds
A crash occurs every 5 seconds in the US
Costs to Employers per Million Vehicle Miles of Travel (M VMT)
and Costs per On-the-Job Highway Crash and Injury
Category
Health Fringe Benefit Costs
Other Direct Costs
Liability for Losses by
Others
SUB-TOTAL
Wage-Risk Premium
TOTAL
Per
M VMT
Per
Crash
Per
Injury
Per
Fatality
Per NonFatal
Injury
$32,976
$3,570
$23,865
$314,284
$22,126
$64,858
$6,699
$20,432
$158,108
$19,608
$60,043
$6,202
$32,016
$32,016
$32,016
$157,878
$16,471
$76,313
$504,408
$73,750
$78,083
$8,065
$51,865 $3,306,430
$32,374
$235,961
$24,536
$128,178 $3,810,838
$106,124
Reasons for Establishing A Formal
Driver Training Program
• Save lives and reduce the risk of life-altering
injuries
• Protect human and financial resources
• Reduce the risk of liability associated with
crashes involving employees on company
business
Reasons for Establishing A Green
Driver Training Program
•
•
•
•
•
Reduce direct costs such as fuel
Couples safety with accountability
Reduces CO2 emissions
Federal and state incentives for green fleets
Demonstrates good corporate stewardship
Another Best Practices Idea
Go Green!
1. Reduce fuel consumption while helping to
reduce carbon emissions
2. Promotes an eco-friendly model
3. Defensive driving with value added
4. Saves the company money!
Examples of Ways to $ave on Fuel
1. Drive sensibly without sudden starts and stops
Savings: Up to 5%
2. Obey the speed limit and reduce your speed
Savings: 7 – 14% reduction in fuel consumption
3. Avoid Idling Whenever Possible
Savings: Varies but saves $
Examples of Ways to $ave on Fuel
4. Remove excessive weight
Savings: Up to 2% reduction in fuel consumption per 100 lbs.
5. Pace yourself / Anticipate hazards / construction /
weather
Savings: Varies but get’s expensive if you leave late, speed
and get a ticket, or crash
6. Check your tire pressure regularly
Savings: Boosts mileage by 3% and prevents premature failure
Examples of Ways to $ave on Fuel
7.
Keep windows rolled up at higher speeds
Savings: Up to 2 miles per gallon
8.
Minimize (or avoid) use of your air conditioner
Savings – Between 3 and 10% fuel saving and less pollution
.
9
Properly maintain your vehicle
Savings: Depends. Example: Correct oil can boost mileage by
about 3%
Best Practices Next Steps
• Review existing components of your driver training/safety
program
• Audit prior collisions / incidents to determine root causes &
become proactive
• Utilize an outside firms(s) to evaluate training needs and
provide training
 Desired Outcome: Develop a comprehensive best practices
fleet program
Best Practices for Green
Fleet Operators
1) Vehicle selection is where it begins.
Options include: electric
plug-in and hybrid electrics
ethanol flexible fuel vehicles (EFV’s)
compressed natural gas (CNG)
higher-mileage vehicles (includes diesel)
Best Practices for Green
Fleet Operators
Vehicles with top fuel economy:
Electric – 105 to 119 MPG (conversion)
• Nissan Leaf
• Chevrolet Spark
• Honda Fit
• Fiat 500e
Best Practices for Green
Fleet Operators
Where to get more information:
US Dept of Transportation
1) www:fueleconomy.gov
2) http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/choosing.jsp
Best Practices for Green
Fleet Operators
Best Practices for Green
Fleet Operators
2). Better vehicle maintenance
Payoff: Up to 10% savings in fuel costs by changing filters,
matching oil selection, and following manufacturer guidelines.
Best Practices for Green
Fleet Operators
3). Increased use of technology and monitoring of drivers
GPS – Reduce idle and better trip planning
Fuel usage gauges give instant feedback
Use of driver cameras to monitor driver behavior and fuel
consumption
Best Practices for Green
Fleet Operators
4). Better trained drivers


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Teach drivers techniques to reduce fuel consumption
Integrate information as part of safety efforts
Implement reasonable well defined policies on vehicle use
Provide recognition and incentives for reducing fuel and CO2
Best Practices for Green
Fleet Operators
Best Practices for Green
Fleet Operators
Drive to reduce fuel consumption
☐ Accelerate smoothly – no jack-rabbit starts
☐ Stabilize your vehicle in traffic and maintain steady speed
☐ Anticipate traffic, stoplights and other hazards
☐ Decelerate using engine drag
☐ Avoid high speeds
Before you drive
☐ Reduce miles driven or drive a lower fuel cost vehicle
☐ Plan ahead –use mapping or other trip planning tools
☐ Combine trips whenever possible
☐ Measure and log fuel consumption
☐ Ensure your emotions and driving attitude is positive
Other strategies for increasing fuel economy
☐ Avoid unnecessary idling / stop engine whenever appropriate
☐ Coast whenever possible to avoid constant acceleration
☐ Measure tire pressure monthly
☐ Remove roof or tool boxes/ racks not in use
☐ Avoid carrying unnecessary weight
☐ Use air conditioning sparingly
☐ Use cruise control to avoid excessive acceleration
Best Practices for Green
Fleet Operators
5). Measure, track and reward successes

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Develop a system to measure green fleet efforts
Analyze success and failures; constant reinforcement
Provide reward incentives for employees groups who reduce
fuel consumption and corresponding emissions.
Closure
• Questions?
• Thank you!
Greg Cupper
President / Master Trainer
Logical Training Solutions, LLC