An eco-score system incorporating driving behavior, vehicle characteristics, and traffic conditions. (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Junshi; Tu, Ran; Ahmed, Usman; Amirjamshidi, Glareh; Hatzopoulou, Marianne; Roorda, Matthew J.
• Is Part Of: Transportation research. Volume 95(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: Eco-score -- Driving behavior -- Vehicle characteristics -- Traffic conditions -- Emissions -- Vehicle insurance; Transportation -- Research -- Periodicals; Transportation -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 354.76
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trd.2021.102866
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1361-9209

Abstract

Highlights: Tens of thousands of real-world GPS traces are used to evaluate driving behavior. Vehicle types and traffic conditions are incorporated into the eco-score system. Conversion factors for emission estimates for electric and hybrid cars are developed. Considering the surrounding traffic conditions improves the eco-score system. Trips will not be penalized for stop-and-go driving in congested conditions. Abstract: This study employs two eco-scoring methods to evaluate driving behavior based on real-world GPS data collected from drivers using an insurance mobile application in two provinces of Canada, Ontario and Quebec. Method 1 provides an eco-score based on greenhouse gas emissions (CO2eq ) and energy consumption considering vehicle characteristics. For electric and hybrid vehicles, an equivalent fuel efficiency, which is defined as the amount of energy consumed by alternative fuel vehicles to that of traditional gas-powered cars, is calculated for each trip record and each alternative vehicle model. Method 2 improves the algorithm by considering on-road traffic conditions and scoring trips relative to other trips experiencing similar traffic conditions. Our results demonstrate that representativeness of the eco-score system is improved after incorporating traffic conditions as trips will less likely be penalized for stop-and-go driving in congested conditions or receive high eco-scores although they have relatively low average speed on uncongested highways.