Want to learn how to learn how to drive better while saving money and cutting greenhouse gas emissions? Metro Vancouver is looking for 200 volunteers for a seven-week driving study on reducing fuel consumption.
The Smart Drive Challenge aims to get drivers to use 15 per cent less fuel through efficient driving techniques and feedback from a “smart” device connected to the vehicle’s computer. The wireless device tracks anonymized fuel consumption and vehicle movement information and displays the daily data on an online dashboard.
For the first three weeks, participants will drive normally while the device collects baseline data. Then, participants will watch a 30 minute online training course and during the last three weeks of the study, participants will endeavour to apply efficient driving techniques to reduce fuel consumption.
“Personal transportation is one of the biggest contributors to climate change and degraded urban air quality,” said Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan, chair of Metro Vancouver’s climate action committee. “Studies like this are an important part of meeting our greenhouse gas reductions targets of 33 per cent below 2007 levels by 2020 and 80 per cent below 2007 levels by 2050.”
The application deadline is Sept. 30. Eligible participants must have a clean driving record, a class five driver’s licence and drive five days a week or more. Vehicles must be from 1997 or newer. To apply, visit: smartdrivemetrovancouver.ca.
