Highlights from the study:
- 7% reduction in the odds of a hard-braking event
- 8% reduction in the odds of a hard left-turn and hard right-turn event
- 4% reduction in the odds of having a collision
- 1% increase in the use of cruise control is associated with a 3% reduction in the odds of a hard-braking event
- an increase in the driver's age is associated with a 9% reduction in the odds of a hard-braking event
A Canadian organization, the Traffic Injury Research Foundation, recently released findings from a study to help answer this question. The study surveyed Class 8 truck data from customers of Isaac Instruments, an in-cab technology and telematics company, to analyze the connection between eco-driving practices and near-collision events. Dr. Ward Vanlaar, TIRF chief operating officer, shared the results here at American Trucking Associations' Management Conference & Exposition.
“The hypothesis was that if we adopt an eco-driving style, it will actually decrease the chances of a commercial motor vehicle driver to be involved in these near-hit events and collisions or crashes,” Vanlaar said.
To determine whether eco-driving practices result in safer driving, TIRF compared Isaac’s driver scores with additional fleet safety data. Isaac driver scores are displayed on a scale of 0 to a perfect 100 and determine whether a driver uses an “appropriate amount of engine power according to driving conditions.” According to the study’s abstract, TIRF used statistical models to estimate the change in odds of a driver experiencing a safety-related event based on their driving style.
Does eco-driving make drivers safer?
Study results showed that a single unit increase in the Isaac driver score was associated with a 7% reduction in risky driver behaviors. For specific behaviors, the reduction in safety events is even lower.
Study results conclude that a driver’s “chance of having a hard right turn decreased by 8% when the Isaac score goes up,” Vanlaar explained. “So, we're starting to see a trend that when the driver has a higher Isaac score, there's fewer chances of having hard braking, hard left turns, hard right turns."
“Now you can see that this is a driver who drives more smoothly,” Vanlaar said referencing a certain sample of data analyzed in the report. “So, there will be fuel savings because he's driving more smoothly—there's no dispute about that anymore. But there's also going to be safety benefits of doing that.”
Taking safety considerations even further, TIRF analyzed data from actual collisions. While there are much fewer collision events compared to near-collision events, TIRF discovered a similar result with a 3.6% decrease in the probability of collisions experienced by a driver who exhibits a single unit increase in their Isaac driving score.
“That's a decrease of 3.6% in crashes just by adopting one particular safety measure—in this instance, driving more eco-friendly,” Vanlaar said. “That is very impactful.”
What makes an eco-conscious driver?
Removing more obvious risky driver behaviors, such as harsh braking, hard turns, and aggressive acceleration, isn’t the only way drivers can become more eco-conscious. Fleets can also ensure eco-driving behaviors by encouraging the use of cruise control, driving consistent speeds, and continual driver training.
Results from the TIRF study found that drivers who use cruise control by a single percentage reduce ultra-carbon emissions by 3%. Further, using cruise control also contributes to a 9% reduction in hard-braking events.
Cruise control can help decrease hard-braking events, but it also helps ensure the truck travels in top gear for an extended period, which comes with benefits as well.
“Driving in top gear with steady speed [is] associated with a 34% reduction of lost stability control events,” Vanlaar explained.
Another factor that heavily influences a driver’s safety and eco-driving score is their age.
“We found that if the driver's age increases by just one year, we have a 9% reduction in the chances of hard-braking events,” Vanlaar said. “For young drivers in the fleet, it's really important that in addition to the education that they get to get their driver's license ... [ongoing] coaching and training is really important.”
Small behavioral changes that make a big impact
Vanlaar explained that while these behavioral changes are something the average driver doesn’t often think about, these changes make a big difference when implemented across an entire fleet.
“Less time spent speeding, more use of cruise control, and more time spent in top gear results in significant reductions in your chances of being involved in near-hit events or a crash,” Vanlaar said. “It reduces your fuel consumption, which can translate in a lot of savings in fuel, of course, but also insurance costs. It can also increase productivity.”
Additionally, the sample of drivers involved in the study had already proven to be some of the best drivers within their fleet, company data showed. However, after using eco-driving practices and behaviors, these drivers also showed significant improvement.
“Even when you're already a really good eco driver, with coaching or with something like Isaac or a similar technology, you can still improve,” Vanlaar concluded. “You can still make gains, probably in the fuel savings, but clearly also in terms of safety-related events.”
About the Author
Jade Brasher
Senior Editor Jade Brasher has covered vocational trucking and fleets since 2018. A graduate of The University of Alabama with a degree in journalism, Jade enjoys telling stories about the people behind the wheel and the intricate processes of the ever-evolving trucking industry.