Navteq says GPS navigation systems save fuel
Apr 23, 2009 gps navigation, misc news, navteq
One of the biggest digital map makers; Navteq; revealed the results of a “proprietary” (they paid for it) research study that focused on impacts of using a GPS navigation system. According to the study which was conducted by NuStats:
drivers using navigation devices 1) drove shorter distances and 2) spent less time driving. Conducted in two metropolitan areas of Germany – Dusseldorf and Munich – the study also showed that drivers with navigation devices had a 12% increase in fuel efficiency, as measured by liters of fuel consumed per 100 kms. Fuel consumption among those drivers using navigation fell from 8.3 to 7.3 l/100kms.
If you drive 12K miles per year in a vehicle that gets 30MPG – your fuel cost would be 400 gallons x ~$1.90 = $760. Savings of 12% would be $91/year. Do you buy the results of the study? If you do – would this make you a buy a GPS navigation system?
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April 23rd, 2009 at 4:32 am
[...] See the original post here: Navteq says GPS navigation systems save fuel [...]
April 23rd, 2009 at 4:33 am
I clearly believe this study is true, I had so many wrong turns, etc. when driving without a navigation system that I think it’s absolutely saves fuel. I personally would however use a nav system more for the additional comfort as due to potential savings.
April 23rd, 2009 at 11:38 am
GPS = fuel savings by avoiding getting lost in an unknown area? Yes.
Beyond that, local knowledge & experience trumps it.
The routes are not always the most fuel efficient nor time saving. Once it starts directing you from faster roads to slower secondary & tertiary roads, villages, towns, traffic lights etc to save a couple miles or pushes you into heavily congested interstate areas; it just costs time & gas.
Between Maine & Florida we have established a longer route that is more efficient by avoiding congested areas in the NE where guaranteed stop&go traffic costs precious time and puts a dent in fuel economy. It is a bit more complex (certainly compared to just following I95 end to end) and maybe 75 miles longer, but is all fast highway and we can more continuously drive at fuel efficient highway speed, is safer (less traffic, congestion, …), less frustrating (again less congestion, no bumper to bumper traffic & less aggressive drivers), pay less toll and it still gets us door to door in the same time or less.
This doesn’t negate the fact that for a large section of society it ultimately can save miles & fuel, but individual circumstances and experiences vary.
April 23rd, 2009 at 1:24 pm
It depends. If you’re new to an area it’ll help save fuel by keeping you from getting lost.
The only way it would help you save fuel during your daily commute would be if it actually considered the amount of traffic lights, congestion, etc, on your way.
There are other technologies that can save way more gas than GPS navigation systems. Telephone, e-mail, video conferencing, VPN… ;)
April 23rd, 2009 at 9:23 pm
[...] Navigadget] Tweet [...]
April 23rd, 2009 at 9:59 pm
[...] [via Navigadget] [...]
April 23rd, 2009 at 10:30 pm
[...] GPS manufacturer Navteq says it does. They recently released the results of a study that they had commissioned that show that drivers that have a navigation system used less fuel on an annual basis then drivers that don’t. The problem is, because the Navteq paid for the study, you have to be a little cautious about their objectivity. Personally, I believe it. Having used a GPS satnav to travel long distances, I find that I can get from point A to point B much more efficiently than with a printed map or directions. Of course, on a daily basis the only real benefit would be if your GPS had traffic avoidance. But If you can avoid sitting and idling for long periods of time, you could save some fuel there as well. [via Navigadget] [...]
April 23rd, 2009 at 10:32 pm
[...] [via Navigadget] [...]
August 24th, 2009 at 7:13 am
GPS navigation systems absolutely save money, especially when you program waypoints for the cheapest marina fuel stations. Locate the cheapest marine fuel prices using a marina fuel price locator.