Volvo Group demonstrated its Eco-Drive technology on two connected freight corridors in Southern California to show how the technology integrates traffic signal data with vehicle dynamics to provide real-time speed recommendations.

The combined technologies are designed to mitigate harsh driving maneuvers and reduce the impact of freight movement in the surrounding communities in high commercial traffic areas.

Volvo Group collaborated closely with several key California stakeholders to demonstrate Eco-Drive technology as part of its involvement in the Zero Emission Drayage Truck Demonstration Project. The project, led by the South Coast Air Quality Management District, is funded by the California Climate Investments program to reduce key criteria pollutants, greenhouse gases and petroleum usage.

The Eco-Drive demonstration was held in the city of Carson, California, not far from the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. A Volvo VNL equipped with the Eco-Drive technology rode along the connected corridors to show how the technology would work in real-world applications.

The event marks the beginning of a 12-month technology assessment and design refinement period for two distinct Eco-Drive concepts: an integrated visual advisory developed jointly by University of California Riverside Center for Environmental Research and Technology (UCR-CERT) and the Volvo Group, and a smartphone-based audible feedback developed by UCR-CERT. Both Eco-Drive concepts will be evaluated on arterials near the San Pedro Bay ports in Southern California, and aim to reduce emissions and energy use to improve the health and quality of life in communities disproportionately affected by heavy truck traffic.

“Evaluating connected vehicle technologies in real-world environments is an essential part of the development process, even in this early exploration phase. Involving these stakeholders will help collectively identify and overcome the barriers to deploy and scale up the technology,” said Pascal Amar, principal investigator for the project at Volvo Group. “We recognize that in an increasingly digitally driven society, such partnerships are required to address technical and political challenges simultaneously. Together we can build a truly intelligent transportation ecosystem, which enables our vision to drive emission reductions, improve road safety and quality of life for the surrounding communities.”