Tests undertaken by the IAAPS show a direct correlation between Lightfoot’s in-cab visual alerts and reductions in NOx. It reports that if drivers halve the number of lights showing on Lightfoot’s in-cab dashboard device, a fivefold reduction in NOx is achieved.
Brace (pictured) explains: “Reducing NOx and oxides of nitrogen is the number one challenge in addressing urban air quality. If you can reduce the power that an engine operates at, you reduce the amount of NOx produced.”
The Lightfoot device is easy to fit and, says Brace, is equally effective for older and new vehicles: “Lightfoot is training drivers to be smoother, better drivers which saves fuel and cuts emissions.
“Human behaviour is the key; Lightfoot is the enabler.”
Brace says fleets see an immediate benefit when installing Lightfoot and that continues, with a drop in fuel costs and fewer insurance claims.
He believes that, in future, vehicles fitted with Lightfoot technology could benefit from preferential access and reduced costs in low emission zones. “There’s a really exciting area of work to be undertaken to persuade local authorities and others operating low emission zones that Lightfoot is a really effective technique for reducing NOx.”
Mark Roberts, CEO and founder of Lightfoot, says: “The University of Bath’s team have been a huge influence on our technology. We worked closely to test and validate the device, proving its emissions and fuel effectiveness in the labs, using their world-class capabilities to refine Lightfoot.
“However, for us, Lightfoot is all about the driver and ensuring they are rewarded for being smoother and safer, encouraging them to hit the sweet spot of their engine.”
Lightfoot has introduced a reward scheme for drivers, through its app, incentivising those who achieve Elite Driver status with additional prizes and entry to a weekly lottery.