I can't resolve this Observer Effect – Tracking Fuel Consumption with GPS Vehicle Tracking Solutions?
I have been assigned a research topic: understanding the effect of GPS Vehicle Tracking Solutions on fuel consumption for a public fleet. I am using this information to create a business case.
In a nutshell, The proposed solution allows fleet operators to monitor, in real-time, the location and attributes of every single vehicles (including direction, speed, idle time, etc..). We will do this by installing device in the vehicles (each device is actually a GPS receiver, and a GPRS transceiver. Location Information is sent to a server on the internet, which renders the information on a map).
By reading several papers on the internet, we were able to pinpoint the different variables of this setup that affect fuel economy.
The savings are all driven by:
- Selecting the most appropriate routes: With GPS, the drivers will select the best route to a destination.
- Minimizing the number of non-authorized journeys: With Tracking devices installed, the drivers will know that they are monitored, and will therefore stop any unauthorized journeys.
- Reduce Fuel Fraud: The tracking devices can be extended with sensors that connect to the fuel lid. If the lid is open, an alert is directly sent to the fleet operator. With this feature installed, Fuel fraud is minimized.
- Idle time: when a vehicle is turned on but doesn’t move, a lot of fuel is consumed. In most cases, it is more economical to turn the engine off than leaving it idle. With tracking devices, the drivers will know that they are sending an "idle" status, and will therefore resort to turning their engines off.
Based on the study, it is found that savings all happen due to psychological factors that affect the drivers. The saving appear when the drivers are made aware that they are tracked, and that full visibility on their location is a feature their fleet operators can request.
I need to experiment this hypo-thesis, and the validity of these variables.
My main goal is to calculate the number of occurrence of each variable above, and its quantity. For example, I would like to collect the number of times a vehicle stays idle.
Then, I would like to install VTS tracking devices in the vehicles, and perform the same test. My goal is to see a reduction in the number of idle times, and to quantify it into fuel saving.
My problem lies in data-collection. I can not collect data about these variables without using a device in the first place.
But the moment I install a device, the driver will directly know that he’s tracked, and I will not have proper readings anymore.
I think I am facing an observer effect, but I don’t know how to resolve it.
Do you have any suggestion?
It’s very similar to the fake CCTV cameras they deploy in offices..
Yet, my goal is to quantify the fuel savings.. this won’t be an internal deployment, so I need to showcase the benefits quantitatively.
You’re both right. But how do I still resolve what I’m facing? Ultimately, I want a baseline (driving pattern before installing GPS), and adjustment (pattern as soon as GPS is installed).
I can’t collect the former with the GPS device in the first place..
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3 Comments
Comment #625
I think you uncovered a "Poor Man’s Fleet MPG Improvement System". Put some empty black boxes and an antenna on each car, write some demo software to show the drivers. They think they’re being monitored. Same prinicple as the fake alarm sign in front of your house.
Comment #626
Drivers use fuel. not trucks. Of course you are "facing" an observer effect. If there wasn’t one, the entire system would be pointless.
The purpose of the system is not to create a high tech way to monitor vehicles. It’s to save the fleet operator money. There is only one possible way to do that, namely changing people’s behaviour. (OK, there is another way – replace the fleet with more fuel efficient vehicles – but presumably that isn’t an option you have).
Comment #627
The only way to eliminate what you call your ‘observer effect’ is to not tell the driver he is being observed. But is that the point? It’s appropriate for a fleet operator to require his fleet to be operated in accordance with his instructions. And it’s appropriate for him to enforce it.
The only really good way for you to get a baseline is before-and-after. Perhaps the ‘before’ can be based only on where the driver should have gone, the route he should have taken, and the fuel economy he should expect. More important than the baseline is economical fleet operation. Give the driver tools to measure and manage fuel consumption (and other costs). Give him reasoned guidelines for engine idling that balance fuel usage, air pollution, and engine lifetime. Give him GPS-based routing to help him choose efficient routes. Motivate him by rewarding good practices and disincentives for bad practices.