Renault Trucks introduces New Tool To Assist Drivers’ Eco-Driving
Commercial Vehicles

Renault Trucks introduces New Tool To Assist Drivers’ Eco-Driving

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Renault Trucks is extending its Optifleet onboard IT solution with a new functionality to assist long haul drivers with their eco-driving. It gives them the possibility of monitoring and individually assessing their driving performance together with optimal use of their vehicle, via an algorithm based on Renault Trucks’ 20 years’ experience in economical driving.

A vehicle’s fuel consumption results from a driving behavior pattern as well as a number of parameters which are beyond the driver’s control. For example, the load, the route and traffic conditions. Renault Trucks has therefore developed a new tool that assesses driving style based on a number of objective criteria. Incorporated into Optifleet, the Renault Trucks onboard IT solution and its Check module, it enables fleet managers to track and analyse their drivers’ performance more accurately, thereby lowering their cost of use.

Thanks to a highly visual interface, they can then discuss objective criteria with them and swiftly offer training in economic driving to those who need it. The French company Inter-Légumes, a Renault Trucks pilot client, has been able to test this new functionality over a period of several months on the 55 Renault Trucks T vehicles in its fleet.

 “This new Optifleet functionality makes monitoring and communicating with our drivers easier. It means much more than just a bare fuel consumption statistic. It really shows if the driver is making the best use of the truck, enabling us to have discussions based on accurate figures and above all, objectives,” explains Christophe Boulicaut, an instructor with Inter-légumes. “Furthermore, I can access each driver’s performance in just a few clicks, enabling me to rapidly identify areas that can be improved and adapt instruction accordingly. Every month, I post every driver’s classification and we reward the one who comes out best.”

The reports indicate drivers’ performance via a comprehensive rating, a colour code (green, orange or red), a general classification and the trend over time. Fleet managers can download these reports in PDF format weekly or monthly and consult them at any time on their Smartphones.

They are based on an algorithm specially developed by Renault Trucks on the basis of its 20 years’ experience in economic driving. The classification criteria of this algorithm do not therefore focus on actual consumption as such, but on items that drivers can control, irrespective of their load, route profile or traffic conditions. This enables all fleets to obtain ratings for each driver solely based on driving performance.

The system actually measures driving efficiency based on three main criteria:

– anticipation (using the vehicle’s inertia and the brake pedal)

– correct use of the vehicle (time spent in the green zone and in the automated manual gearbox’s “automatic” mode)

– the length of time the engine is allowed to idle.

Furthermore, abusive use of the power mode or too much over-revving when the Optidriver automated manual gearbox is used in manual mode will penalise the final rating.

This new function is included in the Check module at no additional cost for every new activation of Optifleet. For hauliers who already use the on-board IT solution, this update is free and automatic. It will be displayed on their usual portal.

With this new Optifleet upgrade, Renault Trucks is further enhancing its solutions designed to enable clients to reduce their fleets’ fuel consumption and help drivers adopt even more rational driving habits. Thanks to its ease of use and highly comprehensive reports, Optifleet can easily be adopted by hauliers wishing to improve their monitoring capability and reduce consumption. It will also allow the most experienced haulage firms in this field to become even more responsive and efficient.

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