Fuel/lubricants consumption in a vehicle depends on various factors like vehicular design, road conditions, traffic pattern, driving habits, and maintenance practices. Out of these, the quickest and cheapest way to effect saving of fuels is by following good driving habits. Proper driving not only saves fuel but also reduces breakdowns and increases road safety. This also reduces the pollution levels due to vehicle emissions.

The objective is to train drivers/driver instructors and mechanics of the organized and unorganized sectors of the road transport on good driving habits and maintenance practices. Also, to develop a cadre of drivers and driver instructors who can further train other drivers on their own and thus promote and propagate fuel conservation in the road transport sector. On an average a saving of about 10-20 percent of diesel consumption is possible.

Training Mechanism: Each training program is for three days.

• A suitable route covering a distance of 5-10 KM is chosen.
• A special calibrated tank developed by PCRA for storage of diesel is fitted in the bus so as to measure the exact fuel consumption.
• Each driver drives the bus on the selected route as per his usual driving habits. PCRA trained Driver Instructor accompanies the driver and takes down the good and poor driving habits on a standard format.
• The time taken and KMPL recorded for each driver is handed over to the driver after completion of driving test.

A class room session is conducted and the drivers are explained on the good driving/maintenance practices. In the afternoon, analysis is done on individual driver’s driving habits and practical problems in achieving the conservation to the desired extent. A video film ‘Driving for Diesel Economy’ is also shown.

Once again all the drivers are asked to drive the same bus on the same bus on the same route as on day-1 under the supervision and guidance of PCRA Driver Instructor who monitors each driver’s performance and corrects those on-the-spot wherever required.