Survey reveals roadways increasingly filled with unsafe drivers distracted by their cell phones
72% of Survey Respondents Say Current and Upcoming Texting While Driving Bans by States Will Not Alter Their Use of a Cell Phone While Driving According to Cellcontrol
cellcontrol announced a new study that shows a majority of drivers still use cell phones while on the road even though its proven to be more dangerous than driving while intoxicated. The study was conducted by odbEdge, the creator of cellcontrol, during the week of December 14, 2009, to learn about views on driving while distracted. From a pool of 100 respondents, 88 percent of drivers admitted to using their cell phone to text, email, surf the Web or have a conversation in the past 12-months. However, nearly 75 percent of the same group agreed that driving while intoxicated and texting are equally dangerous. While this shows an increased awareness of distracted driving as a problem, drivers still fail to realize that Distracted Driving is 23 times more dangerous than Driving While Intoxicated.
While great progress has been made with laws in place and awareness campaigns, the study shows that 72 percent of drivers still continue to drive and be distracted by their cell phones and other mobile devices regardless of state cell phone usage while driving bans. Solutions like cellcontrol, which works by plugging into a car’s on-board computer and uses a downloadable application and Bluetooth technology to pair to your phone, is an option to help keep drivers safe on the road and curb the habit of driving while using a cell phone.
“Cell phone use and driving is still a safety problem on our roadways and that’s why at cellcontrol our main objective is to help parents, friends, employers, etc., protect those they care about with technology that is easy and simple to use,” said Leigh Gilly, Director of Business Development of cellcontrol. “We are aimed at preventing driving while distracted to help reduce the over 500,000 injury-resulting accidents each year caused by mobile phones and other technologies used while driving.”
While cell phone use when driving spans across all age groups, teenagers draw the most attention to this national problem. If given the choice, the study shows 65 percent of parents would put their worries to rest with technology to prevent their children from driving while using their cell phones. More than 60 percent of parents would purchase a particular cell phone if they had the ability to control distracted driving as a feature option. In addition, more than 75 percent would use technology to restrict use of mobile devices while driving if they received a discount on their automobile insurance premium.
Survey questions/results included:
In the last 12 months, have you engaged in distracted driving caused by any of the following cell phone activities: texting, emailing, surfing the Web or talking on your phone?
Yes – 88.4%
No – 11.6%
If given the technology to block the use of cellular phones while operating a vehicle, on which of the following would you use the technology:
Yourself – 26.8%
Spouse or significant other – 23.2%
Children – 65.2%
Employees – 27.7%
None of the above – 17.0%
What do you consider to be more dangerous?
Driving while intoxicated – 17.0%
Driving while texting – 9.8%
They are equally dangerous – 73.2%
Has the passing of new laws prohibiting distracted driving changed the way you use your cellular phone while operating a vehicle?
Yes – 27.7%
No – 72.3%
Are you aware of any accidents in the last 12 months involving yourself, family or friends that was caused by distracted driving?
Yes – 27.7%
No – 72.3%
In purchasing cellular phones for your children or employees, would you consider the ability to control distracted driving on a specific phone type as an important feature in the buying decision?
Yes – 60.7%
No – 8%
Maybe – 31.3%
Besides cellular phones, which of the following mobile devices do you currently have or use in your personal or work vehicle?
Laptop – 28.8%
Handheld ordering device – 2.7%
MP3 player – 27.9%
GPS system – 45.9%
DVD player – 32.4%
None of the above – 27.9%
In regards to automobile insurance: Would you use technology to restrict your use of a mobile device while operating a vehicle if you received a discount on your premium for doing so?
Yes – 75.9%
No – 24.1%
In regard to automobile insurance: Would you be willing to change insurance carriers if a different carrier offered a discount that ultimately saved you money for the use of technology to stop distracted driving?
Yes — 53.6%
No – 46.4%
Source: cellcontrol
Ford leads the industry on fuel economy improvement, driven by powertrain advancements
Ford Motor Company has improved in fuel economy more than any other major automaker since 2004, according to a recent report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA rated Ford’s combined car and truck fuel economy improvement at nearly 20 percent, almost double the next closest competitor.
Ford credits its recent gains in fuel economy in part to its introduction of the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner hybrids and numerous incremental aerodynamic, mechanical, energy management and weight-saving improvements across its vehicle lineup. Going forward, it expects the 2009 introduction of the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids and its fuel-efficient EcoBoost engines to further improve its fleet-wide fuel economy.
Dramatic fuel efficiency improvement is evident throughout Ford’s vehicle lineup – from cars and crossovers to sport utilities and trucks. Depending on powertrain specifications, the 2010 Fusion, Fusion Hybrid, Escape Hybrid, Taurus SHO, Flex, F-Series and Transit Connect offer best-in-class or unsurpassed fuel economy. The same can be said of the 2010 Lincoln MKS and MKT and Navigator, Mercury Milan Hybrid and Mariner Hybrid.
Ford expects to see its overall fuel economy continue to rise in 2010 with the introduction of the 2011 Ford Fiesta and redesigned 2011 Ford Focus – both high-mileage small cars.
“2009 has been a breakthrough year for Ford, leading with the launch of EcoBoost and the introduction of new products that will result in further improvement in 2010,” said Sue Cischke, group vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. “Our commitment to delivering affordable, fuel-efficient vehicles for millions has never been stronger or better demonstrated.”
Not only is the improved fuel efficiency good for customers’ wallets, it benefits the environment as well. As a result of the boost, Ford lowered its tailpipe CO2 emissions more than any other automaker with a fleet-wide average of 434 grams per mile – 37 grams lower than its 2007 total and 25 grams lower than 2008.
A powerful difference maker
The fuel efficiency of the 2010 Ford Fusion improved 21 percent over the 2009 model, jumping from 28 mpg to 34 mpg in highway driving, and leap-frogging the competition. Powertrain improvements were a big difference maker. Fusion and other new models benefit from the introduction of Ford’s new six-speed transmission, which offers a wider gear span than four-speed transmissions.
The six-speed allowed Ford’s engineers the flexibility to tune the powertrain for greater responsiveness in low gears and better fuel economy in the taller gears. The new double-overdrive gearbox is designed to contribute up to 4 percent fuel economy improvement. Ford has committed that almost 100 percent of its transmissions will be advanced six-speed gearboxes by 2013.
Ford’s EcoBoost breakthrough
This year, Ford introduced its new line of powerful, fuel-efficient EcoBoost engines, available in the Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT. Recently honored with a Popular Mechanics’ Breakthrough Award, EcoBoost uses gasoline turbocharged direct-injection technology for up to 20 percent better fuel economy, 15 percent fewer CO2 emissions and superior driving performance versus larger-displacement engines.
On average, nearly one in five buyers of the Taurus, Flex, Lincoln MKS and MKT have opted for EcoBoost since the engine lineup’s introduction in August. By 2013, Ford will offer EcoBoost engines in 90 percent of its product lineup with annual volume of vehicles with EcoBoost at 1.3 million globally.
“We are committed to delivering new products with the best fuel economy in every segment in which we compete – driven in large part by substantial advancements in powertrain technology,” said Barb Samardzich, vice president, Ford Global Powertrain Engineering. “We are focusing on sustainable technology solutions that can be used not for hundreds or thousands of cars, but for millions of cars, because that is how Ford truly will make a difference.”
It’s all about incremental improvements
The fact that the 2010 Ford Taurus and 2009 Ford F-150 are up to 12 and 17 percent respectively better on fuel economy than their 2004 predecessors isn’t due to one “silver bullet” solution but a host of vehicle enhancements, including aerodynamic refinements, weight efficiency and mechanical improvements.
The progress made by Ford during the past few years reflects an engineering philosophy that every joule of energy gained through incremental improvement is precious. Ford engineers work tirelessly using a systems approach to manage vehicle energy and implement a variety of design and engineering solutions that can each improve fuel economy by 1 percent or more. Taken together, the improvements help deliver significant savings for consumers at the pump.
Aerodynamics
The ease with which a vehicle moves through air greatly influences its fuel efficiency. Ford engineers use sophisticated computer modeling and wind tunnel testing to painstakingly tweak vehicle designs millimeter by millimeter to get the best possible aerodynamics without losing sight of the designers’ original vision. The energy saving can be significant. A 10 percent reduction in aerodynamic drag increases fuel economy by approximately 1 percent for cars and approximately 2 percent for trucks with conventional internal combustion engines.
The 2010 Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ are 5 percent more efficient than outgoing models in terms of drag coefficient, which measures the force that pulls a vehicle back when it is moving. The Fusion S leads the group with a segment-topping 34 mpg highway rating, in part because it is 8 percent more aerodynamically efficient than the outgoing model.
Weight reduction
Reducing vehicle weight also is a critical part of fuel economy improvement. For every 10 percent reduction in weight, fuel consumption is estimated to improve by 3 percent. According to a recent study, replacing heavier materials with lightweight materials is nearly as important as hybrid technology for automakers to meet the expected increase in the One National Program regulations by 2016.
Ford increasingly uses light-gauge, high-strength steel and lightweight materials such as aluminum and magnesium to meet weight reduction goals ranging from 250 to as much as 750 pounds. In turn, weight savings in body and structural materials allow for the use of smaller-displacement engines and lighter-weight suspensions and chassis components.
The Fusion team eliminated 125 pounds for the S-Series fuel economy leader. The size of the radiator, for example, has been reduced in size by one-third with no degradation in performance. Also, 16-inch aluminum wheels and low-rolling resistance tires help aid aerodynamics while still delivering top performance.
Energy management
Ford is eliminating energy waste in every vehicle system, including power steering. Ford’s new Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) can improve fuel economy up to 3 percent, while reducing CO2 emissions and enhancing steering performance. EPAS saves fuel primarily because the steering system is powered by an electric motor connected to the vehicle’s battery, as opposed to engine-mounted hydraulic pump steering systems. By 2012 Ford plans to fit nearly 90 percent of the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury lineup with EPAS.
“While we are implementing our near-, mid- and long-term plans, we are continuing to achieve efficiencies throughout the vehicle in areas that can quickly lead to fuel economy improvement today,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of Global Product Development. “Whether we’re reducing wind drag, eliminating engine-driven power steering pumps or switching to low-friction engine oil, this attention to every detail and these small improvements collectively deliver significant fuel economy gains for our customers.”
A new frontier of electric vehicles
In 2009, Ford launched an aggressive plan to bring pure battery-electric vehicles, next-generation lithium-ion battery powered hybrids and a plug-in hybrid to market quickly and more affordably during the next four years.
The vehicles include:
– Transit Connect battery-electric commercial van in 2010
– Focus Electric passenger car in 2011
– Next-generation hybrid vehicle in 2012
– Plug-in hybrid in 2012
These new vehicles pave the way for additional applications in the future, using Ford’s high-volume global small car and midsize car platforms. The use of global platforms showcases Ford’s ability to develop products with worldwide market opportunities in mind. Powering the company’s electrification drive is its ONE Ford global product vision.
As part of Ford’s electrification plan, it will bring battery system design, development and manufacturing in house as a core competency in support of the development of its next-generation hybrid vehicle in 2012. This underscores Ford’s commitment and belief in the growth potential for electrified transportation. Ford will continue to work with supplier Johnson Controls-Saft on the design and development of battery cells and packs for Ford’s PHEV that also launches in 2012.
“Next-generation hybrids, plug-in hybrids and pure battery-powered vehicles are the logical next steps in our pursuit of greater fuel economy and sustainability,” said Nancy Gioia, Ford director of Global Electrification. “A growing number of consumers want that kind of choice, and we want to be in a position to deliver it to them across multiple vehicle categories.”
Source: Ford Motor Company
Economy and public health will benefit if clean car standards are well-designed, Group testifies
EPA Urged to Revise Proposed Zero Emission Rate for Electric Plug-In Vehicles
California’s and the nation’s economy and environment will reap significant benefits – and avoid costly impacts – if proposed federal standards to establish national vehicle greenhouse gas and fuel economy standards for new cars and trucks sold in the United States “are rigorous and well-designed.” That was the testimony by a policy specialist from Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) at the third and final hearing on the proposed rulemaking for the standards held by EPA and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
“The fundamental promise of the presidential accord – and the bedrock responsibility for the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Transportation in finalizing the proposed standards – is to achieve profound and lasting progress in national security, climate stability and economic opportunity,” testified Erica Fick, clean energy fellow for Environmental Defense Fund. “Consumers should save an estimated $3,000 over the life of each of these cleaner vehicles. We respectfully request that federal policy-makers finalize rigorous and protective standards to ensure the promise of the president’s compact is realized.”
To establish one well-designed policy, EDF challenged the EPA to reconsider how it approaches accounting for greenhouse gas emissions resulting from generating electricity to power plug-in vehicles.
“The EPA’s proposal to assign a zero greenhouse gas emission rate for the electric portion of plug-in electric vehicles seriously misses the mark,” added Fick. “EPA must ensure that the pollution associated with the upstream electricity generation that powers plug-in vehicles is fully accounted for in the emissions assigned to these vehicles.”
The proposed federal standards – based on California’s clean car law – would apply to new model year 2012 to 2016 vehicles and reduce global warming pollution from transportation nationally by an estimated 21 percent by 2030. Transportation is a major sector of emissions that accounts for about 20 percent of all greenhouse gases nationwide.
The standards would apply to vehicles that are responsible for about 40 percent of all U.S. oil consumption and, if approved, would reduce consumption of oil by 1.8 billion barrels while achieving a five percent annual improvement in fuel efficiency for the nation’s passenger vehicle fleet.
Fick noted that California has more than 30 million registered vehicles that are a major contributor to global warming pollution in the state. California’s coastline spans more than 1,000 miles, and 70 percent of California’s population lives within 60 miles of the coast. Recent analysis predicts a 1.4 meter rise in sea level by 2100 putting 480,000 people at risk. Global warming is likely to make water management more difficult, contentious and expensive by disrupting snowmelt patterns that provide drinking water for over 20 million Californians and irrigation water for California’s $30 billion agricultural industry. Heat waves are projected to become longer, hotter, and more frequent, leading to more heat-related deaths. Hotter and drier weather also will lead to harmful wildfires that threaten lives and property.
When finalized and carried out, the standards will have important societal benefits, Fick testified. They include breaking our nation’s addiction to foreign oil, encouraging domestic clean energy technologies that will lead the way in the 21st century global marketplace, and significantly reducing the global warming pollution that imperils our planet and will harm our economy. Fick said the proposal represents an important step forward in addressing the grim impacts of a changing climate, but she cautioned that to secure these critical benefits, the final standards must be rigorous and well designed by:
– Accounting for Societal Benefits of Protective Action: To maximize benefits, it is essential to fully account for extraordinary and far-reaching protections that result from reducing emissions. The full range of environmental, social, and economic impacts of emissions should be factored in when calculating carbon’s societal costs and co-benefits of the proposed standards – such as health benefits from reductions in smog-forming air pollutants – must be incorporated in economic analysis, which must also account for catastrophic impacts. The final rule must reflect this through appropriate economic assumptions and use of ethical considerations beyond the scope of economic analysis alone.
– Ensuring Fleet Mix Assumptions. Reductions to be realized by these standards are dependent on assumptions about fleet composition in
model years 2012-2016. EDF urges federal policymakers to find ways to ensure fleet mix assumptions reflect real-world fleet composition.
– Preparing for model year 2017 and beyond. The standards apply to model years 2012 through 2016. EDF urges the EPA to begin work as soon as possible to prepare standards for model year 2017 and beyond.
Information about the clean car standards rulemaking can be found at: www.epa.gov/otaq/climate/regulations.htm.
Source: Environmental Defense Fund
2009 Solar Decathlon winners announced
U.S. Department of Energy Deputy Secretary Daniel Poneman announced the winners of the 2009 Department of Energy Solar Competition on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Team Germany, the student team from Darmstadt, Germany won top honors by designing, building, and operating the most attractive and efficient solar-powered home. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign took second place followed by Team California in third place.
The active competition lasted for a week, with the prototype home designs open to the public through Sunday. Team Germany’s winning “Cube House” design produced a surplus of power even during three days of rain. This is the team’s second-straight Solar Decathlon victory, after winning the previous competition in 2007.
“This competition to build zero carbon homes has been a tremendous undertaking and we have seen terrific efforts by all the teams,” Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman said. “The ingenuity that comes from individual effort is the promise of our future.”
Over the past two weeks, the 2009 Solar Decathlon challenged 20 university-led teams from the United States and as far away as Spain, Germany, and Canada to compete in 10 contests, ranging from subjective elements such as architecture, market viability, communications, lighting design, and engineering, to technical measurements of how well the homes provided energy for space heating and cooling, hot water, home entertainment, appliances, and net metering.
New to this year’s competition, the Net Metering Contest was worth 150 points towards the final results and was the most heavily weighted contest. It challenged teams to generate surplus energy, above and beyond the power needed to run a house, which they fed into a power grid.
Team Germany earned 908.29 points out of a possible 1,000 to win the competition, followed by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with 897.30 points, and Team California with 863.08 points.
Solar Decathlon Individual Contest Winners:
Appliances
In the Appliances Contest, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign earned the most points based on keeping a refrigerators and freezer cold, washing and drying 10 loads of laundry during the contest week, and washing dishes in a dishwasher five times during the competition – all on electricity generated only from sunlight. The team scored 93.53 out of 100 possible points.
Architecture
Team California took first place in the Architecture contest and earned 98 points out of a possible 100. A jury of architects judged homes on the aesthetic and functional elements of the home’s design; ease of circulation among the public and private areas; integration of various spaces into a holistic design; generosity and sufficiency of space in the house; and the house’s design surprises meant to inspire visitors.
Comfort Zone
Team Germany topped the contestants in the Comfort Zone contest, with 92 out of 100 points for maintaining indoor temperatures between 72 and 76 degrees Fahrenheit and relative humidity between 40 percent and 55 percent.
Communications
Team California’s communications efforts, including communications plans, student-led tours, and team Web site, were judged best by the jury of Web site and public relations experts with a score of 69.75 points out of a possible 75 points.
Engineering
The University of Minnesota won the Engineering contest, which was evaluated by a group of prominent engineers, who determined which solar home best exemplified excellence in energy systems design, energy-efficiency savings, creative innovations in design, and reliability of energy systems. The University of Minnesota scored 96 out of a possible 100 points.
Home Entertainment
The Home Entertainment contest required students to use electricity generated by their solar houses to run interior and exterior lights, a TV, a computer, and a kitchen appliance to boil water. Teams were also required to hold two dinner parties and a movie night for neighbors. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign earned 92.62 out of a possible 100 points.
Hot Water
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign earned the maximum 100 points in the Hot Water contest’s “shower tests,” which aimed to deliver 15 gallons of hot water in ten minutes or less. Of course, the water was heated by the sun.
Lighting Design
The University of Minnesota was named the winner of the Lighting contest where teams earned points based on an evaluation by a jury of lighting design experts. Jurors toured each house to evaluate the aesthetics, innovations, energy efficiency, user-friendliness, flexibility, and performance of the teams’ lighting designs. The University of Minnesota earned 72 points out of a possible 75 points.
Market Viability
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette won the Market Viability contest, which evaluated whether the cost-effective construction and solar technology in a team’s design would create a viable product on the open market. Judges gauged market appeal based on three criteria: livability, feasibility of construction, and marketability. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette earned 97 points out of a possible 100 as judged by the professional jury.
Net Metering
Team Germany took the top spot in the crucial, 150-point Net Metering contest. Teams were awarded 100 points if the energy supplied to their home’s two-way electrical meter registered zero or less after all of the energy demands of the contest week. Each house in the 2009 Solar Decathlon was connected to a power grid and equipped with a meter that measured both its consumption and production of energy. When a team’s meter showed a negative number, the home had generated surplus energy – worth up to 50 additional points. Team Germany scored a perfect 150 points in this contest.
The application process for the next Solar Decathlon, to be held in fall 2011, has already begun.
www.solardecathlon.org
Source: U.S. Department of Energy
Warning to motorists: Fall is peak season for deer-vehicle collisions
The I.I.I. Offers Tips to Avoid Deer-Related Accidents
Cars and deer can be a lethal combination. Deer migration and mating season generally runs from October through December, and causes a dramatic increase in the movement of the deer population. As a result, more deer-vehicle collisions occur in this period than at any other time of year, so drivers need to be especially cautious, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).
The I.I.I. estimates that there are more than 1.6 million deer-vehicle collisions each year, resulting in 150 occupant deaths, tens of thousands of injuries and over $3.6 billion in vehicle damage. An additional billion dollars is spent on medical payments for injuries to people in the car and out-of-pocket expenses paid by vehicle owners, bringing the total cost to approximately $4.6 billion. The average claim for deer-vehicle collisions is $3,000, with costs varying depending on the type of vehicle and severity of the damage.
Studies by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) show that three out of four vehicle-animal collisions involve deer, and that November is the peak month for these accidents. These collisions also account for tens of thousands of injuries each year, according to the National Safety Council.
“As our wildlife habitat continues to shrink, accidents with deer and other animals are likely to increase. Drivers should stay alert and pay particular attention to the sides of the road, especially during the hours just before dusk and just before daylight. “said Jeanne M. Salvatore, senior vice president and consumer spokesperson for the I.I.I.
Not only is urban sprawl displacing deer from their natural habitat, but the deer population is also growing. As a result, many of them find their way onto highways and into suburban neighborhoods, especially during deer season.
Some states experience more deer related collisions than others. According to a study of annual claims statistics, the states with the highest claim frequency are West Virginia, Michigan, Arkansas, South Dakota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and Virginia.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to decrease the likelihood of being involved in a deer-vehicle collision.
Drivers should be aware of the following:
– Deer are not just found on rural roads near wooded areas; many deer crashes occur on busy highways near cities.
– Deer are unpredictable, especially when faced with glaring headlights, blowing horns and fast-moving vehicles. They often dart into traffic.
– Deer often move in groups. If you see one, there are likely to be more in the vicinity.
Drivers should take the following precautions:
– Drive with caution when moving through deer-crossing zones, in areas known to have a large deer population and in areas where roads divide agricultural fields from forestland.
– Always wear your seatbelt. The IIHS reports that in a study of fatal animal crashes, 60 percent of people killed were not wearing a seatbelt. sixty-five percent of people killed in animal related crashes while riding motorcycles were not wearing a helmet.
– When driving at night, use high beam headlights when there is no oncoming traffic. The high beams will better illuminate the eyes of any deer on or near the roadway.
– Be especially attentive from sunset to midnight and during the hours shortly before or after sunrise. These are the highest risk times for deer-vehicle collisions
– Brake firmly when you notice a deer in or near your path, but stay in your lane. Many serious crashes occur when drivers swerve to avoid a deer and hit another vehicle or lose control of their cars.
– Do not rely on devices such as deer whistles, deer fences and reflectors to deter deer. These devices have not proven effective.
In the event your vehicle strikes a deer, try to avoid going near or touching the animal. A frightened and wounded deer can hurt you or further injure itself. If the deer is blocking the roadway and poses a danger to other motorists, you should call the police immediately.
Contact your insurance agent or company representative as quickly as possible to report any damage to your car. Collision with a deer or other animals is covered under the optional comprehensive portion of your automobile policy.
Source: Insurance Information Institute
Nissan LEAF Electric Car reservations to begin in the U.S. in Spring 2010
Nissan North America Targets 20,000 Reservations by Launch Near End of 2010; Will Expand Production to U.S. in 2012
In response to strong initial demand for the Nissan LEAF zero-emission electric car, Nissan North America, Inc. announced it will begin taking reservations for LEAF in spring 2010. Nearly 22,000 people in North America have contacted Nissan since the company unveiled the car in August.
“The groundswell of interest, especially from people in our initial launch markets, demonstrates to us the importance of a reservation system,” said Carlos Tavares, head of Nissan’s operations in North, Central and South America. “Our goal is to confirm at least 20,000 reservations for Nissan LEAF by the time we deliver the world’s first mass-market zero-emission car in late 2010.”
Nissan will invite people to “opt-in” and receive updates and information about LEAF through a reservation system that will tell them when the electric car is available – either for test drives or to take home. Participants will receive the latest news about the company’s zero-emission activities as well as information about Nissan LEAF and how to become “plug-in ready.”
“We’ll continue to reach out to this enthusiastic and rapidly growing group as we approach launch,” said Tavares.
About 70 percent of the people in North America who have contacted Nissan about LEAF reside in markets where the all-electric zero-emission car first will be brought to market.
Of those who have contacted Nissan, about half report that they want to obtain LEAF as soon as it’s available, and another 45 percent indicate interest in owning an electric vehicle within the next two to three years. Metro areas with the strongest consumer responses are San Diego, Calif.; Tucson, Ariz.; Seattle; Portland, Ore.; and Los Angeles – all of which are among the first markets where LEAF will be available globally.
More than 90 percent of the people who have contacted Nissan indicate that they drive less than 100 miles daily, which is the range of LEAF when fully charged. Meanwhile, 75 percent indicate that they are members of two-car households – prime candidates for an efficient commuter car like the all-electric, zero-emission LEAF.
People interested in zero-emission mobility will have the opportunity to see Nissan LEAF starting in November, on the heels of its appearance at the Tokyo Motor Show, when it will be on tour throughout the major launch markets in the United States. The tour will kick off in Los Angeles at a dedicated event.
Nissan is the only automaker committed to making all-electric vehicles available to the mass market on a global scale. Beginning in late 2012, Nissan will manufacture LEAF and its advanced lithium-ion battery pack for the U.S. market at the company’s plant in Smyrna, Tenn. Initially, LEAF will be manufactured in Japan.
Nissan LEAF will be available for private and fleet customers. People who wish to participate in the reservation program can visit www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car. Details about the program and pricing are being finalized.
In the United States, Nissan – in conjunction with the Renault-Nissan Alliance – is exploring ways to promote zero-emission mobility and the development of an electric-vehicle infrastructure through partnerships in the State of Tennessee, the State of Oregon, Sonoma County and San Diego in California, Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz., Washington D.C., Seattle, and Raleigh, N.C. Additional partnerships will be announced in the near future.
Source: Nissan North America
Survey: U.S. drivers say texting while driving should be banned; Voice technoogy seen as safer
A national survey released today showed 86 percent of licensed U.S. drivers described handheld texting while driving as “very dangerous,” with 93 percent supporting a nationwide ban on texting – Despite strong support for a nationwide handheld texting ban, only 42 percent of respondents believe drivers would stop texting if banned. More than 75 percent believe there would be more compliance if hands-free or voice-activated technologies were widely available – Sixty-seven percent of drivers said they believed voice-activated technology is a safe alternative to handheld texting – The most recent and most complete research shows that distractions that take drivers’ eyes away from the road for an extended period of time are a factor in nearly 80 percent of accidents
The vast majority of U.S. drivers believes handheld texting while driving is very dangerous and should be banned nationwide, according to a new national survey released today.
The survey showed that 86 percent of U.S. drivers believe handheld texting while driving is “very dangerous” and 93 percent support a nationwide ban on texting. At the same time, only 42 percent of respondents believe drivers would stop texting behind the wheel if the practice was banned. However, more than 75 percent believe there would be more compliance if hands-free or voice-activated technologies were widely available.
The online survey was conducted September 18-21 by Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates on behalf of the Ford Motor Company. Ford commissioned the survey as part of its efforts to understand driver perceptions related to distracted driving. Ford last week endorsed a proposed nationwide ban on handheld texting introduced by Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY).
“Research shows that activity that draws drivers’ eyes away from the road for an extended period while driving, such as text messaging, substantially increases the risk of accidents,” said Jim Vondale, director of Ford’s Automotive Safety Office. “That is why we support a nationwide ban on handheld texting while driving and why Ford has developed hands-free and voice-activated technologies to allow drivers to remain connected, but to do so while keeping their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road.”
The survey shows that 67 percent of drivers said they believed voice-activated technology is a safe alternative to texting, and 76 percent said such a feature would be an appealing feature in a car.
The survey results come as the U.S. Department of Transportation is scheduled to host a summit on driver distraction in Washington, D.C., next week.
According to the survey, there is confusion among drivers over existing state laws prohibiting handheld cell phone use and/or texting while driving. Currently 18 states have enacted such bans but nearly 40 percent of drivers in these states indicated they were unaware of the ban in their own state.
Research on driving solutions
According to a NHTSA-sponsored 100-car study conducted by Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, driver inattention that may involve looking away from the road for more than a few seconds is a factor in nearly 80 percent of accidents.
“A growing number of drivers are using handheld wireless communications and music-playing devices while driving,” said Dr. Louis Tijerina, Ford senior technical specialist. “Research clearly shows that manual operation of those devices that takes the driver’s eyes from the road for an extended period of time creates the kind of distraction that causes accidents.”
Ford developed the Virtual Test Track Experiment (VIRTTEX), a state-of-the-art simulator that monitors and analyzes a variety of driving behaviors. Since VIRTTEX opened in 2001, Ford has completed a number of driver distraction studies that have contributed to the development of Ford’s Driving Skills for Life teen driving education program, the MyKey(TM) programmable teen-safety feature and SYNC hands-free communication technology.
“Our studies show that teens are much more willing to take risks while driving, such as manually dialing on a mobile phone in situations that demand greater attention,” said Jeff Greenberg, senior technical leader, Ford Research & Advanced Engineering.
Survey Methodology
Penn, Schoen & Berland fielded an online poll on behalf of Ford Motor Company from September 18-21, 2009, interviewing a nationwide sample of 1,000 licensed U.S. adults drivers aged 18 years and older.
Source: Ford Motor Company
Americans buying smaller engines; see turbocharging as fuel efficient solution
‘Cash for Clunkers’ Reveals Preference for Smaller Gas Engines; New Study Shows Awareness of Turbo Benefits Creates Dramatic Shift in Americans’ Buying Behavior
As American consumers shift their buying behavior towards more fuel efficient vehicles, turbocharging — already in use by roughly half of new vehicles in Europe — has emerged as the engine technology U.S. consumers “didn’t know they wanted.”
In a study of U.S. consumers released today by Honeywell, more than half of those who plan to purchase a vehicle in the next two years believe fuel efficiency is more important than it was during their last vehicle purchase. The study also found that more than 80% of American consumers were more likely to consider purchasing a turbocharged vehicle after learning that the readily available turbocharger helps to increase the fuel efficiency of a gas engine by up to 20% without sacrificing performance or reliability.
While Americans’ prioritization of fuel efficiency is new, their actual purchase preferences are not. According to the Department of Transportation, nine out of the ten most popular vehicles purchased in the recent ‘Cash for Clunkers’ program were equipped with smaller and more fuel-efficient versions of conventional technology engines.
“The success of the ‘Cash for Clunkers’ program shows that a consumer appetite exists for fuel efficient options on traditional engine platforms that don’t sacrifice the power, reliability and price that Americans demand,” said David Paja, Vice President, Marketing for Honeywell Turbo Technologies. “For that reason, almost every major automaker has announced plans to broadly introduce turbocharged engines to the U.S. market in the coming years. We anticipate demand for gas and diesel turbocharged engines in the U.S. market may increase from 5% today to 25% by 2014 and could top 85% by 2020.”
The Honeywell study showed that while 90% of Americans had heard of turbochargers, just over half were familiar with the technology and only 36% of those people said they would consider purchasing a turbocharged vehicle. But that number jumped to over 80% when information was shared about the benefits of turbocharging. Specifically:
– Fuel efficiency, reliability and overall cost (compared to hybrid engines) were the top reasons U.S. consumers would consider buying a turbocharged vehicle.
– While 96% of Americans are familiar with hybrid technology, 84% of those same consumers said they would consider buying a turbo vehicle based on cost savings versus hybrids.
– Nine in ten U.S. consumers said they are more likely to consider buying a turbocharged vehicle after learning it increases fuel efficiency of a gas engine by up to 20% without sacrificing performance.
– 84% of Americans said they were more likely to consider a turbocharged engine when told the engines have a proven reliability track record and are now tested to last 150,000 miles or ten years.
Survey Methodology:
The survey was conducted during a one week period in August 2009. Approximately 1,000 random telephone interviews took place across the United States. Demographic weights were applied to ensure the sample accurately reflected the total population of the of U.S. adults. The survey is available by request for review.
Source: Honeywell Transportation Systems
Hoffa: Government report shows border should remain closed
Trucking Pilot Program Diverted Inspections From Buses, Inspector General Reports
Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa said today that an inspector general report shows once and for all that the border should remain closed to unsafe Mexican trucks.
A pilot program to allow Mexican trucks on U.S. highways began in September 2007 and ended in March 2009 when Congress, with bipartisan support, cut off funding for it.
The inspector general reported that states aren’t consistently reporting Mexican drivers’ traffic convictions. That “could result in Mexican Federal CDL (commercial driver’s license) holders continuing to drive in the United States after incurring a disqualifying traffic offense,” the report said.
“This new report raises even more alarms about opening our border to unsafe trucks from Mexico and endangering the lives of drivers in the United States,” Hoffa said.
The inspector general also reported that the program diverted border officials from inspecting passenger buses. In El Paso, for example, the number of bus inspections fell by 80 percent.
At some California and Texas crossings, passenger buses are still not inspected when they cross the border on evenings, weekends or holidays because there are no inspectors working those shifts.
“This report shows without a doubt that opening the border to Mexican trucks and buses puts an unacceptable strain on our border resources,” Hoffa said. “Federal officials couldn’t keep up with inspections when there were only 118 trucks in the pilot program. If the border were opened to all Mexican trucks, border inspection stations would be completely overwhelmed.”
The report, dated Aug. 17, said that the shift in border inspectors should “call into question whether FMCSA’s (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) border staff could meet the bus inspection demands that may occur if the border were to open to a large number of Mexican long-haul trucks and buses.”
Hoffa said that Mexican trucks should not be allowed to travel on U.S. highways until the United States implements a comprehensive inspection program and the Mexican government ensures that hours-of-service rules are enforced, that Mexican drivers meet the same qualifications as U.S. drivers and that drug and alcohol testing facilities are brought up to U.S. standards.
The Mexican government slapped tariffs on $2.4 billion worth of goods after the pilot program was shut down. Hoffa said the retaliatory tariffs are unfair and disproportionate.
“Anyone who drives on U.S. roads should be required to obey U.S. safety laws,” Hoffa said. “The Mexican government is wrong if it thinks NAFTA should give it the right to send dangerous trucks onto our highways. Mexico must meet its end of the bargain. For the last 15 years, it hasn’t even tried. The U.S. Trade Representative should be challenging these unfair tariffs.”
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Goodyear celebrates 111 years of innovation
In celebration of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company’s 111th anniversary, the company is recognizing its most significant moments in history with a compilation of “Goodyear’s top 111 innovations, inspirations and historic firsts.”
The list reflects Goodyear’s pioneering spirit of innovation throughout the years, which has been felt across the earth, the skies and even the moon.
“Innovation is what has made Goodyear what it is today,” said Jean-Claude Kihn, Goodyear’s senior vice president and chief technical officer. “Not only is innovation an important part of our past, but it’s even more so our goal for the future.”
More than a century of innovation has secured Goodyear’s place in history. Some of the company’s most memorable contributions include:
1901: Goodyear adopts the wingfoot trademark, saying it will help Goodyear circle the Earth.
1908: Goodyear develops the All-Weather tread design. The diamond-shaped studded pattern would be used for more than 40 years with only minor modifications and become a well-known symbol of Goodyear tire quality.
1918: The Wingfoot Express makes the first cross-country trucking journey from Boston to San Francisco, demonstrating the toughness and reliability of Goodyear tires. It was also the first truck to feature a sleeper cab.
1920: Goodyear Hall (a center containing an auditorium, classrooms, recreational facilities and the state’s largest gymnasium at the time) is constructed in Akron, Ohio. A dream of future CEO P.W. Litchfield, the center made Goodyear a pioneer of employee wellness and education.
1925: Goodyear’s first commercial blimp, the Pilgrim, debuts. The airship is 50,000 cubic feet and is the first non-rigid craft to use helium.
1947: Goodyear establishes one of the earliest industrial programs to encourage protection of the environment, the Goodyear Conservation Awards recognizing resource management. In 1973, Keep America Beautiful Inc. would select Goodyear’s environmental improvement program as the nation’s best.
1963: The Orange Bowl becomes the first live sporting event to be nationally broadcast to television from a Goodyear blimp.
1970: Goodyear tires land on the moon as part of the Apollo 14 mission.
1977: Goodyear introduces the Tiempo, the first tire designed for year-round use in all climates. The Tiempo would become the most successful tire in company history, selling 3.5 million in the first year.
1991: Goodyear launches the Aquatred, which would become the most award-winning tire in industry history. With its unique, deep-groove aquachannel, the tire set new standards for wet traction and changed the way drivers think about new tires.
2009: Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max tires help save consumers gas money by reducing rolling resistance compared to the Goodyear Assurance.
For the entire list of Goodyear’s 111 innovations, including historic photos and videos, visit http://tr.im/GoodyearInnovation.