Transport companies can potentially save millions of dollars a year by reducing idling times, according to figures in a soon-to-be-released
Transport companies can potentially save millions of dollars a year by reducing idling times, according to figures in a soon-to-be-released report exclusively obtained by ATN.
The report, due to be released in late May, states light commercial vehicle drivers can save $300 worth of diesel a year and reduce diesel emissions by up to 200 litres in the same period by cutting idling times by three hours per week.
This in turn will reduce the amount of CO2 entering the atmosphere by more than half a tonne, the report says.
Furthermore, the figures have been collated over a 12-month period to include the 40,000 light commercial (LCV) drivers operating in Western Australia.
Based on the findings, the report says if all LCV drivers reduce idling times by three hours per week for a whole year this will save $12 million in diesel, eight million litres worth of diesel emissions and slash the amount of CO2 entering the atmosphere by more than 22 thousand tonnes.
The results are part of a final evaluation of a joint trial between the Western Australian Government and Toll-IPEC, which looked at the benefits of having drivers reduce idling times.
As reported in ATN in February, the Department of Environment and Conservation’s initial findings showed operators could save more than $50,000 by reducing idling times.
During the three-month trial, which ran from November to February, the department exposed drivers to a various amount of behaviour change tools such as posters, feedback meetings, electronic messaging and on-vehicle signage.
Those who were exposed to more behaviour change tools reported greater saving than their less-informed counterparts.
The evaluation findings are based on drivers who were exposed to all behaviour change tools.
Due to the success of the trial, the Government plans on implementing the initiative next year with at least six to eight companies.