Comments on: Data Driven Driving Decisions

By: Nicole

Nicole — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 18:05:27 +0000

I mentioned this blog entry at my instructional technology graduate class today (we were learning about Sentreo clickers and how teachers can/should modify their instruction based on feedback they receive from the students’ clickers).

Turns out one of the students in my grad class – Jack – has a Prius. Several of us went for a little ride during out lunch break to check out the display screen that you talk about and the car in general. We were impressed by the overall design improvements with the car (lots of interior room, huge trunk, great audio system…) and it got us all thinking about realistic data based/real time decision making…

We had a great time thanks for sharing!

By: Ideas and Thoughts from an EdTech » Blog Archive » Assessing Social Capital

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 04:40:05 +0000

[...] that so would many businesses. Not that that is the ultimate goal but like Will watches his gas gauge on his Prius perhaps our kids could get excited about watching their social capital points rise. Or does that [...]

By: Theresa C. Stanley » Blog Archive » Data Driven Decisions

Theresa C. Stanley » Blog Archive » Data Driven Decisions — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 18:15:37 +0000

[...] recent blog post by Will Richardson talked about his Prius and how using the data helped him get better gas mileage. [...]

By: Weblogg-ed » Reading Ideas Instead of People, Take 22

Weblogg-ed » Reading Ideas Instead of People, Take 22 — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 20:16:11 +0000

[...] Google Reader now makes recommendations and, more importantly, relays some data on how many posts occur on those unsubscribed to blogs per week (down to the tenths, btw.) And it’s that last part that gives me pause. I wonder if there is a way to analyze the blogs that I am currently subscribed to in terms of posts per week. Since I’m now in Prius mode and all about data driven decision making (for certain things) I started wondering if there is a pattern to my subscriptions. A very quick, unscientific, first impression look through my feeds shows that the vast majority of them return about 5 posts a week and that very, very few have more than 7-8. [...]

By: tcstanley

tcstanley — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 02:02:03 +0000

We’ve had two Prius’ so I know what you are talking about! (Both first generations. Last year we moved up to the hybrid Camry – very sweet also!! Although display only visible by driver.)When we got it, the display “taught” you how to drive more efficiently. We don’t live in a cold environment, so we were getting close to 50 without the air on. (Dropped about 8 with it on.)

Our new Camry rewards you when you drive well – a blue ring around the speedometer and the word “Excellent” come up. Again, we strive for the positive reinforcement!!

By: Jacques

Jacques — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:00:10 +0000

When we downsized 2 years ago from a gas-guzzling Grand Caravan to an ’03 VW Passat wagon, gas not diesel, it came with all the bells and whistles including a gas usage display showing the approx. mileage (km here in Canada) “left in the tank”. This neat algorithm seems to take into account recent driving habits (city or highway, stop-and-gos), outdoor temperature, etc. Bottom line, as you pointed out, our driving habits were quickly the main reason behind good/bad fuel consumption. Lesson learned (read $$$). Even if it’s a gas model, not hybrid or diesel, we still feel we can do our little contribution in reducing carbon emissions… Driving habits are to fuel consumption what slow-food is to fast-food

By: Tom Krieglstein

Tom Krieglstein — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:05:30 +0000

I had the same thoughts of a video game when my family first got a hybrid. Funny you thought the same thing. I was just wondering what would happen if I reached level two? Would I get some magical armor?

Or how about if it told me how I faired against other owners around the world in terms of gas mileage and gave me a ranking locally, nationally, internationally.

On a semi-similar note, I was shopping for food yesterday and I only brought one tote bag and the lady asked if I wanted to use a paper bag for the rest of the stuff. I told her no because I’m in a competition (mostly with myself) to see how little paper/plastic I can use.

I think it would be interesting if stores could sponsor some kind of customer competition to see who uses the least amount of paper/plastic.

By: Tom T.

Tom T. — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 17:15:28 +0000

After reading your blog as well as Karl Fisch’s religiously over the last year I find, it quite ironic that I too recently purchased a hybrid (Honda Civic). To date I love the car but have also found that air temperature and short trips can definitely influence mileage.

By: Educational Technology and Life » Blog Archive » Links for 2007-11-26

Educational Technology and Life » Blog Archive » Links for 2007-11-26 — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:46:43 +0000

[...] Data Driven Driving Decisions Funny, I just had a friend describe “hypermiling” to get the best mileage in his civic hybrid as a video game. Here Will does the same with his Prius. We’ve looked at both (and love the civic), but are looking at the Saturn VUE hybrid for the baby car. (tags: environment) [...]

By: gmwand

gmwand — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 15:28:56 +0000

I had a similar experience with my new (used) vehicle. Mine is not a Prius, my new vehicle is a Silverado Pickup truck. It replaced an S-10 because my children won’t stop growing! Even the youngest didn’t fit in the jump seat anymore. Although I wasn’t looking for anything fancy, it did come equipped with the display that shows speed, distance avg. and instant mpg. You are correct in that it is much like a game to try and get the numbers as high as possible. My best has been an instantaneous 85 mpg while going downhill. It has already changed my driving habits as I search for the speed that gets the best gas mileage and yet still lets me feel like
Mario Andretti. I know my new-ish truck won’t win any awards for “stellar green-ness” but it does fit my needs and has made me more aware of what I can do to get better mileage.

By: driving course

driving course — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 12:47:50 +0000

We’re thinking of getting a Prius for our driving school, to do little bit to improve the environment.
Do you or any other Prius drivers have any thoughts about what it would be like to learn to drive in a Prius…

By: Liz D.

Liz D. — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 07:27:41 +0000

Will, I bought my Honda Civic Hybrid about four years ago. The Civic fit my shleppage needs better than the Prius at the time. While I’m fanatical about tire pressure and have changed my driving habits considerably (helloooo, slow lane!) my fairly constant average is about 39 mpg — the main problem is hills. I live in a hilly part of the country. The gains from going downhill do not seem to offset the losses from the very low mpg to maintain a safe speed while going uphill.

By: Paul Rubin

Paul Rubin — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 03:57:37 +0000

Hang in there Will. I bought an ’07 Prius the beginning of September and after about 200 miles I began to alter my driving and get a sense for what sort of driving does best (highway is not nearly as good as certain types of more local driving). 6000 miles later here’s a few bits of Prius wisdom.

#1 The external temperature has a great deal to do with the gas mileage. I have some idea as to why but this isn’t the forum. Suffice it to say that I was commuting from NJ to and from Brooklyn daily in September and October and averaged about 52-55mpg and in one instance, did that 45 mile trip and hit 60.0 mpg as I parked. The moment the weather changed I lost about 4-5 mpg consistently making no other changes. So if you’re in the mid to upper 40′s now, you’ll easily break 50 once you get back into I’d say April.

#2 Trips under 10 minutes hurt your mileage severely. Something to do with the time needed to warm up the catalytic converter, etc. A series of 5 minute trips might net you 35mpg hurting your overall average.

#3 There are techniques you can develop and modifications you can make to squeeze out extra mileage but I’m so thrilled going from 20 to 50 with gas prices around $3 and me averaging 30,000 miles a year that I haven’t bothered much. Some good places to start looking include:
priuschat.com
priusonline.com
cleanmpg.com
newhybridcarsonline.com

You’ll be given suggestions to increase tire pressure to certain numbers, install an engine heater, block off the front grill in cold weather, use pulse and glide and related techniques, etc.

In any case good luck with your Prius and your overall mission.

By: Rich

Rich — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 02:52:55 +0000

My brother has had a Prius for almost a year, and when I retire MY Honday Accord (1-2 years) I’m hoping to follow suit and do the exact same investigation you’ve just done. From what I’ve heard, the hybrid actually gets better gas mileage in-town than on the highway, which seems counterintuitive — but since the electrical generation from the braking system contributes to improved mileage, that does make sense. If you’re driving long distances on the highway, you’re not applying your brakes and thus not generating electricity to recharge the batteries.

I could be wrong, and I’m certainly interested in hearing if anyone knows more about it than me!

By: Bonnie K

Bonnie K — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 14:52:30 +0000

Hi Will,
I’ve been reading your blog for a long time and this could be my first comment. I have been driving my Prius for about since October 2005. I gave up a TT for it, clearly not as drastic a move as someone with a Hummer but I too enjoy watching the fuel display and feel good that I’m doing something for the environment although I’d like do wish I could justify a second car for fun in summer( used TT convertible) Oh well. I love my Prius but I hate taking it to the Toyota dealer and so far, my local mechanic doesn’t want to get involved with servicing a hybrid.
I am a great fan of Al Gore but it doesn’t look like he’s moving to run for the White House and take his environmental leadership where it could move us faster.
For now, I’m Prius at the pump with you. I’m in blue, you?
Bonnie K.