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We've all been there - trapped on a crowded bus, muttering
under our breath as a bus driver who has temporarily mistaken
himself for Michael Schumacher takes a corner too fast - sending
shopping, push chairs and pensioners flying everywhere.
However, London bus operator, Metroline, is seeking
to tackle the problem of overly reckless - not to mention
fuel-wasting - drivers with the aid of a new device capable
of instantly informing them when they are not driving smoothly
enough.
The technology from US startup GreenRoad
measures a vehicle's G-force as the driver accelerates, brakes
and corners. It then applies algorithms to the captured data
to detect if the driver is driving too aggressively and informs
them of their performance immediately through red, amber and
green lights on the dashboard.
As well as providing drivers with instant feedback, the data
is stored and can be analysed later as part of a training
or incentive programme designed to improve drivers' performance.
GreenRoad argued that the technology encourages smoother,
more fuel-efficient driving styles and claims its customers
have reduced fuel costs by an average of seven per cent and
accidents by an average of 54 per cent as a result of the
system.
Damian Rowbotham, finance director at Metroline, said that
the primary motivation behind installing the technology in
100 of the company's buses was to improve safety. However,
he added that it was also hoping to see a reduction in fuel
bills and carbon emissions. "Fuel is very expensive at the
moment and we cover 40 million miles a year, so any savings
we can realise are very attractive" - he said.
"It is too early to tell the scale of any savings and we
are unlikely to realise cuts in fuel use as big as some other
GreenRoad customers, as our drivers have less flexibility
in their routes and driving style than sales reps in company
cars - but we would hope to see modest savings."
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