2013 Session: 588

• Marketing Around Fuel Economy Regulation of Passenger Vehicles and Light-Duty Trucks
  Abstract: America’s vehicle fleet has evolved since the federal government imposed a dual standard for vehicle fuel economy that allowed light-duty trucks heavier fuel use: light-duty trucks in the forms of pickups, sport-utility vehicles (SUVs), and minivans have become common passenger vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration updated fuel-economy regulations in recent years to address modern challenges. The updated system retains the dual standard but attempts to refine vehicle classification through physical characteristics, but physical characteristics of vehicles are not the sole factor influencing purchasing decisions. People buy vehicles to fit lifestyles and portray self-images; hence people’s purchasing decisions are heavily influenced by how products are represented. The objective of this research is to characterize and evaluate how vehicle marketing material for specific vehicles differs from how those vehicles are represented and counted for fuel-economy compliance. This study addresses this objective with a content analysis of vehicle brochures evaluated through the lens of critical discourse analysis. Statistical analysis of brochure content showed significantly greater focus on passenger themes in brochures for light-duty trucks even though the looser regulatory standards for these trucks were intended to keep costs low for business and freight. The industry intentionally communicates certain values by depicting certain functions the consumer should expect vehicles to perform. This study identifies of how manufacturers do not necessarily market vehicles according to the intent of fuel-economy regulation.
  Authors: Ridout, John Stuart; Dunning, Anne E.
  Authors: Ridout, John Stuart; Dunning, Anne E.
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Environment; Energy
  Session: 588
  Paper Number: 13-3252
• Speeding Behavior and Gasoline Prices Using Hourly Washington State Data
  Abstract: Do drivers adjust speeds to save money when gasoline prices rise? Previous research produced mixed results of this energy saving hypothesis. In this paper, a more robust hourly dataset of Washington State highway speeds finds a modest but statistically significant decline in speeds due to increasing gasoline prices. A one dollar increase in gas prices reduces the average speed by 0.27 mph, changing the average highway speed from 70.82 to 70.55 mph, translating into $1.07 billion gas expenditure savings on all U.S. highways annually. In terms of heterogeneity, the research finds that the fastest drivers reduce speeds under-proportionately, potentially undermining the safety objective of a gasoline tax. Finally, the speed changes are mainly caused by the gasoline price that drivers pay at the pump. The high public media attention given to gas prices had relatively little effect on speeding behavior.
  Authors: Watkins, Kari Edison; Wolff, Hendrik
  Authors: Watkins, Kari Edison; Wolff, Hendrik
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Environment; Energy
  Session: 588
  Paper Number: 13-3671
• Participation and Incentive Choice of Participants in an Early Vehicle Retirement Program in Québec, Canada
  Abstract: Early vehicle retirement programs are designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to improve air quality and traffic safety, and to stimulate the economy by replacing the automobile fleet with less polluting vehicles. Québec’s early vehicle retirement program was additionally designed as a mode shift tool by offering one of six different incentives including transit passes, rebates on bicycles and vehicles, or membership to a car sharing cooperative. This paper assesses the characteristics associated with program participation as well as with the choice of each incentive. Between 2009 and 2011, over 40 000 participants registered to the program and provided their address, choice of incentive, age of vehicle, gender and age. Census data provided measures of the built and social environment near participants’ residence. The determinants of program participation rates were assessed using Tobit regressions. A multinomial logistic regression helped identify the determinants of incentive choice. Higher participation rates were found in lower density areas inside metropolitan regions and in higher density non-metropolitan areas, as well as in areas with low unemployment rates, fewer immigrants and younger population. Transit incentives were more popular in dense, metropolitan centers, with more women, younger people and wealthier participants. Older participants were more likely to choose car rebates and bicycle incentives were associated with younger male participants. Participants from lower income areas were more likely to choose the cash incentive. The addition of incentive options that are feasible in areas with lower density or poorer population should be considered. Alternative transportation incentives are mostly chosen in dense urban environments where a mode shift is more feasible.
  Authors: Lachapelle, Ugo
  Authors: Lachapelle, Ugo
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Environment; Energy
  Session: 588
  Paper Number: 13-0736
  Practice-Ready: Yes
• Medium-Term Effects of London’s Low-Emission Zone
  Abstract: London’s low emission zone (LEZ) was implemented in a staged process from February to July, 2008 in an attempt to reduce the emissions of air pollutants of direct harm to human health within London. The LEZ was introduced to target the worst polluters, specifically heavy diesel vehicles, buses and coaches by imposing minimum emissions standards on vehicles operating in an area covering most of Greater London. Several years on it remains unclear how successful the LEZ has been in meeting its stated objectives and if any improvements in pollution levels can be attributed to the LEZ. This paper uses registration and enforcement information to assess the impact of the LEZ on vehicle registrations, usage and air pollution. Results suggest the rate of fleet turnover for affected vehicle classes in London increased substantially when the LEZ was first introduced before returning to the national average in subsequent years. Early evidence for light commercial vehicles (LCVs), which became subject to the scheme in early 2012, shows a similar effect is likely. Despite an overall growth in freight vehicles operating in London, the number of pre-Euro III vehicles has dropped and this has been coupled with a switch from rigid vehicles to LCVs and (to a lesser extent) articulated vehicles. Ambient air quality measurements, show concentrations of particulate matter within the LEZ have dropped by 2.46 to 3.07 percent compared to just over one percent for areas just outside the LEZ. However, no discernible differences are found for NOX concentrations.
  Authors: Ellison, Richard B; Greaves, Stephen; Hensher, David A.
  Authors: Ellison, Richard B; Greaves, Stephen; Hensher, David A.
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Environment; Energy
  Session: 588
  Paper Number: 13-4534
  Practice-Ready: Yes
• Participation and Incentive Choice of Participants in an Early Vehicle Retirement Program in Québec, Canada
  Authors: Lachapelle, Ugo
  Authors: Lachapelle, Ugo
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: AICP Certification Maintenance Session; Energy; Environment
  Session: 588
  Paper Number: 13-0736
• Marketing Around Fuel Economy Regulation of Passenger Vehicles and Light-Duty Trucks
  Authors: Ridout, John
  Authors: Ridout, John
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: AICP Certification Maintenance Session; Energy; Environment
  Session: 588
  Paper Number: 13-3252
• Speeding Behavior and Gasoline Prices Using Hourly Washington State Data
  Authors: Watkins, Kari
  Authors: Watkins, Kari
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: AICP Certification Maintenance Session; Energy; Environment
  Session: 588
  Paper Number: 13-3671
• Medium-Term Effects of London's Low-Emission Zone
  Authors: Ellison, Richard
  Authors: Ellison, Richard
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: AICP Certification Maintenance Session; Energy; Environment
  Session: 588
  Paper Number: 13-4534