A method for estimating traffic flow fuel consumption — Using traffic simulations

Abstract A method was developed to estimate the potential reduction in fuel consumption that might be obtained by improving traffic flows. This method is accomplished by calculating the speed and acceleration of every vehicle per second, and matching the results with a table showing the fuel consumption for every vehicle model based on chassis dynamometer tests. The method makes it possible to show quantitatively the effect of improving traffic flows on reducing fuel consumption. It is expected to be useful in stepping up improvement of the road environment and traffic flows.