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	Model Depot Project Case Study

Case Study on Model Depot Project (MDP) at -------- Depot in ------ State

The ------- Road Transport Corporation’s -------- Depot operates 112 buses of Ashok Leyland make on various routes (9 Lac Kms / month approx). Before start of the project, the average Kilometer per litre (KMPL) of the depot was 4.61 and average engine oil consumption (km/lt) of the depot was 528. After the completion of the project the KMPL of the depot improved to 4.7 and oil consumption of 578 km/lt. This would result in an annual saving of 48.8 kilolitres of diesel and 2.88 kilolitres of engine oil worth 6 Lacs.

A driver training program on improvements of driving skills for fuel saving was also organized in which 11 drivers participated. The average improvement after training changed from 14 to 25%.

It is expected that an annual savings of 102 kilolitres of petroleum products worth 10 Lacs is possible if recommendations made by PCRA are implemented.

Summary of Findings & Recommendations

S.No.	Issue	Observation	Recommendation
1.	Fueling Practices	The diesel pump has a automatic cut-off nozzle facility.	Since overall performance of depot Is greatly dependent an amount of fuel disbursed, It is advisable to have autocut off facility on fueling pumps so that there should be no error in evaluation of fuel efficiency of buses on this account.
2.	Allotment of Vehicle	On random checking it Was found that only 30% vehicles are fix with Drivers.	At least 70% vehicle Should be fixed with Driver. This will give them sense of belongingness to the vehicle. The repair and maintenance will slowly reduced and vehicle will be better maintained.
3.	Maintenance Practices a) Vehicle giving low KMPL.	17 engines are giving low KMPL. The basis of lower KMPL is: 1) Old engine (life more than 3 years) less than 4KMPL. 2) New engine (life less than 3 years) less than 4.5 KMPL.	The recommendation suggested should be implemented. The Depot can save 48.8 KL/annum diesel worth Rs.4.18 lacs and the average KMPL/LIT can improve from 4.61 KMPL to 4.7 KMPL.
	b) Failure of reconditioned engine	Out of 25 RC engine have premature failure. These engines have not run even 25,000 km after reconditioning.	The quality of work RC engine should be improved at Central Work Shop. At depot level following precautionary steps should be taken to avoid any failure of RC engines: 1) Clean radiator and check total cooling system. 2) Provided cowl & new air cleaner.
	c) Vehicle having high engine oil consumption	20 Engines are having high engine oil consumption (i.e. less than 500 km/lit).	The recommendation suggested in should be implemented. The depot can save 2.88 KL/annum engine oil worth Rs. 1.17 lacs and the average km/litre can improve from 528 km/lit to 578 km/lit.
	d) Self Starting	About 40 vehicles have no facility of self starting this is due to problem in battery and missing Wire from self to key at Dash board.	Immediate action to be taken to rectify the problems.
	e) Tyre Pressure	All the buses are now running with 14 ply Tyre. But the depot had The old recommendation Of 12 ply, which is 85 PSI for front wheel & 75 PSI for rear wheel.	It is recommended to keep the air pressure Of all the tyre in between 90-95 PSI for 14 ply Tyre.
	f) Injector Testing	The depot has Injector tester but no bench vice Is in the section, so opening of injector & its calibration Is difficult.	One bench vice should Be procures immediately.
	g) Cap in the diesel tank	Out of 10 buses surveyed on random basis 3 nos. bus has no cap & spring on diesel tank.	Sufficientinventory of Cap/spring/rubber seal may be kept at depot level to avoid this problems.
4.	Driving Habits: a) Driver giving low KMPL at Depot.	A list of 18 drivers were analyzed for finding out the reason for giving low KMPL. It was observed that out of 18 drivers, 13 has neither fix route non has any fix vehicle.	The driver on list giving low KMPL Should be given fixed vehicle and route for atleast 6 months and they should be compared with other driver on the same route. If they are found unsatisfactory they should be sent for training.
	b)Driver Training Course conducted by PCRA.	11 Drivers have undergone practical training by PCRA instructor. Excess acceleration in low gears, high speed driving & poor anticipation of stops were observed. The percentage improvement by each driver after the course ranged from 14 to 25%.	After every 6 months a batch of 10 to 15 drivers giving low KMPL should be Identified. They should be given training at SRTC Training Center or by PCRA.
5.	Management Review & Control: a) Man Power	The depot has 68% manpower. It was observed that maximum time the mechanic & technicians are busy with break down. Due To low strength they pay less attention for preventive maintenance causing increase in no. of breakdown in the depot.	It is suggested to increase the manpower or award some job & on contract so that the present strength can concent rate on preventive maintenance.
	b) High/Low KMPL driver.	The name of high and low KMPL driver is available with JEN or Manager (O).	It is suggested that to motivate and generate competition among drivers. Name of 5 high KMPL and 5 Low KMPL should be put On notice board every month. The best KMPL driver of depot can be given name plate of “BEST KMPL DRIVER”
	C) Revenue earning/expenditure on the petroleum products.	It is observed that revenue earning/RS Of petroleum product has decreased from 4.86 to To 4.65 in 1996-97 (refer Annexure-ii)	The above recommendations S.NO. 1 to 6 (b) must be implemented to reduce the expenditure on petroleum products.