Hey Leadfoots, Your Eco-meter is Watching You (in Toyotas in Japan)
In Japan, Toyota's (TM) models now rate your driving with an eco-sensor. Whether coasting in a Zen-like manner, or properly generating RPMs that are not wasteful, the Toyota sensor helps to re-train us as drivers.
How can drivers value MPG over MPH? The need for speed definitely gets your juices flowing with emotion, but maybe can be tempered with thoughts of global warming and climate change - and just a more restful and stressless driving experience.
WHY IS THIS HIP?
* HEALTH: Smoother starts and less speeding makes driving more predictable, and should reduce accidents and deaths. More sensors are coming to alert drivers on these topics too.
* WEALTH: Less gas wasted means fewer trips to the petrol station. Maybe the sensor should have a monetary display of gas saved at the end of each trip too?
* EARTH: Obviously, this eco-sensor can give imeediate feedback on saving Greenhouse Gases (GHG). How about a counter that tracks that versus more inefficient driving?
* EQUALITY: Smoother driving might make us neighborly and respectful of each other, and drive in a more collaborative way.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Do you want an eco-sensor? What should it track? How else can we shift behavior?
How can drivers value MPG over MPH? The need for speed definitely gets your juices flowing with emotion, but maybe can be tempered with thoughts of global warming and climate change - and just a more restful and stressless driving experience.
WHY IS THIS HIP?
* HEALTH: Smoother starts and less speeding makes driving more predictable, and should reduce accidents and deaths. More sensors are coming to alert drivers on these topics too.
* WEALTH: Less gas wasted means fewer trips to the petrol station. Maybe the sensor should have a monetary display of gas saved at the end of each trip too?
* EARTH: Obviously, this eco-sensor can give imeediate feedback on saving Greenhouse Gases (GHG). How about a counter that tracks that versus more inefficient driving?
* EQUALITY: Smoother driving might make us neighborly and respectful of each other, and drive in a more collaborative way.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Do you want an eco-sensor? What should it track? How else can we shift behavior?
Labels: driving, eco-sensor, toyota
posted by R.Paul Herman at 6:54 PM
4 Comments:
I've found that when driving a Prius and focusing on getting the most miles per gallon, I truly do have a much less stressful driving experience. I've often thought if everyone was concentrating on slow starts and coasting to stops rather than leadfooting it, the road would be much safer and more pleasant.
I love the idea. thnk it should also demonstrate your green status ina public way, ala sterling's viridian meter. that kind of feedback would or could accelerate the change.
I love the idea. thnk it should also demonstrate your green status ina public way, ala sterling's viridian meter. that kind of feedback would or could accelerate the change.
I've been driving my folks' new Prius during the holidays and I really did start to focus on driving to maximize the MPG. Anyone who knows me knows this is very unusual! While driving more placidly is good for stress, I think that having another thing to have to think about (the MPG meter) adds a little stress. Also I worry that other drivers will get pissed at me because I'm Sunday driving and NOT acting as much like a cab driver as everyone else. So even though I think it would be effective for us all to have this meter, and if drivers learn from the very start to use it it would not be so stressful, there will probably be some extra stress during the transition.
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