Suggested Citation:
Kurani, Kenneth S., Angela Sanguinetti, Hannah Park (2015) NCST White Paper: Actual Results May Vary: A Behavioral Review of Eco-Driving for Policy Makers. Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis, Research Report UCD-ITS-RR-15-36

This research provides energy and environment policy makers with an upâ€toâ€date summary of ecoâ€driving research. Our review of an extensive database of eco†driving studies reveals the fuel and emissions reduction outcomes achieved to date and the conditions under which those reductions were measured or estimated. We summarize the interventions used to achieve those outcomes and consider promising strategies.

The research underscores a clear imperative: we need to understand the behaviors that constitute ecoâ€driving in order to design effective interventions. In short, we seek to inform policy makers of (1) the presently understood savings potential of ecoâ€driving, (2) promising pathways for effective policies, and (3) the need for a behavioral perspective to accurately identify the true savings potential of ecoâ€driving and the most effective policies.

Starting with a broad definition of “ecoâ€driving,” this paper addresses four questions: Why ecoâ€driving? What are eco†driving behaviors? How much do they save? How are they promoted?