Using in-car feedback to influence travel decisions

An experiment was carried out, on a pilot basis, to establish the effectiveness of a car running cost meter on driver decision making and to assess the desirability of staging a larger scale experiment. The findings from the data are presented and extrapolated by means of a transport network model to assess potential energy savings. It was found that there was a significant reduction in off-peak-period trips as a result of the car meter but there was no significant reduction in time spent in the car, distance travelled and the cost of driving. A surprising finding from the project was that 40% of the subjects who happened to be changing their vehicle shortly after being involved in the project chose more fuel efficient cars. (Original abstract - amended)