WHY(Developmental Background of the MHS-01)

WHY(Developmental Background of the MHS-01)

Toward the Realization of "Green Logistics"　

With increasing needs for frequent deliveries in small lots, more than 50% of all goods forwarded in Japan are transported by approximately 9,970,000 commercial trucks. It is very likely that this percentage will continue to grow. Responding to this trend, the Japanese government has made various efforts such as the promotion of clean energy vehicles to work toward the reduction of carbon dioxide and the streamlining of the existing physical distribution systems. However, no truly effective measures have been devised for the improvement of fuel consumption of trucks currently in service.
As "physical distribution" has evolved into "logistics," the realization of "green logistics" will be one of the most important challenges in the future.
It was under these circumstances that Miyama Inc. decided to develop an eco drive navigation system through a new automotive engineering approach focusing on dynamic analysis of driving conditions for the reduction of fuel consumption and auto exhaust.

Differentiation of Transport Companies　

Since hazardous car emissions have become a big social issue, the chorus emphasizing the need of promoting eco-driving is getting louder and louder. Automakers have improved their cars, introduced environmental equipment, and carried out campaigns for economical driving.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has set basic guidelines in order to encourage trucking companies to introduce low-emission vehicles and promote environmentally-friendly driving. Trucking companies are able to set their goals and evaluate their efforts based on these guidelines.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) plans to utilize these guidelines when eco-driving efforts of trucking companies will be rated by a third-party organization in the future.
In parallel with such governmental efforts, companies in general, especially those who have obtained ISO 14000 certifications, have become keen to reduce the effects on the environment that occur in physical distribution. In addition to their in-house efforts, they now put great importance on the environmental consciousness of their business partners and contractors including transport companies.
The MLIT's guidelines focus on the improvement of hardware aspects such as the introduction of low-emission cars and adequate maintenance. Environmentally-friendly physical distribution, however, cannot be realized by focusing on hardware aspects alone because human factors are very important as well.

Limit of Eco Driving Campaigns

Miyama first carried out an eco-driving campaign in 1997 when the company asked its truck drivers to avoid unnecessary engine idling. At that time, we had approximately 200 trucks with all of them subject to the campaign. In 1999, it developed into a more comprehensive campaign covering efforts for the prevention of global warming, and the promotion of economical and safe driving.
As part of this campaign, we held eco-driving training sessions for our 180 truck drivers. We then measured how their driving technique and environmental awareness had contributed to the reduction of fuel consumption. We found out that the eco-driving campaign brought about visible improvement in fuel economy: an average 2.6% improvement in 1999, 7.3% in 2000, and 9.7% in 2001 (all compared to fuel economy figures in 1998).
However, we also discovered that the improvement of fuel economy varied greatly from driver to driver. While a number of drivers constantly achieved 10% or more fuel savings, some drivers showed very little improvement.
We realized the fact that efforts focusing on human factors seldom bring about uniform results. It was true that the campaign helped our drivers deepen their understanding of economical, environmentally-friendly driving. But we were not able to show our drivers any theoretically well-supported numerical targets.
We concluded that scientifically-based criteria to judge driving practices and specific numerical indicators were necessary to promote eco-driving more effectively.
The MHS-01 development project was started to specifically address this problem.