Assessing the effect of a power-flow gauge on driving behaviors affecting energy consumption

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a power-flow gauge for indicating current level of "economic" driving for a simulated electric vehicle based on drivers' acceleration and braking pedal pressing behaviors. Sixteen participants were asked to drive a driving simulator with/without integrating the power-flow gauge interface for city and highway. The mean and kurtosis (stability) of acceleration and brake pedal press positions were recorded. Results showed stable (non-aggressive) acceleration behaviors when drivers used the interface. This indicates that the presence of a power-flow gauge encouraged the drivers to maintain a relatively steady acceleration pedal position as well as how the changes in driving behavior may affect energy consumptions in forms of economic driving. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.