Research project
MODALES - Modify Drivers’ behaviour to Adapt for Lower EmissionS
- Start date: 1 September 2019
- End date: 31 August 2022
- Funder: EU Horizon 2020
- Value: €4,722,208.75
- Partners and collaborators: Ertico, Acasa, Fia, Iru, University of Leeds, Istanbul Okan Universitesi, Certh, Cerem, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, Vtt, Freni Brembo Spa, Bridgestone, Michelin, Proventia Oy, Spark Legal Network
- Primary investigator: Professor Haibo Chen
The impact of road traffic on local air quality is a major policy concern and there have been numerous projects aiming at improving underlying vehicle and fuel technologies, traffic management and enforcement. MODALES will contribute to a substantial reduction in air pollution from all types of motorised road vehicles by encouraging the adoption of low-emission oriented driving behaviour and maintenance choice, improving the effectiveness of OBD devices and retrofits.
The main goal of MODALES is to advance the fundamental understanding of the co-variability of user behaviour and vehicular emissions from powertrain, brakes and tyres, and modify user behaviour via dedicated training, including a driver assistance app and awareness campaigns, in order to support effective air quality plans and enforcement strategies to be developed by local and national authorities.
MODALES proposes a user-centric approach to addressing all of the challenges which on the one hand enhance low-emission practices and on the other hand suppress high-emission behaviour by researching, developing and testing a number of innovative and complementary solutions in four key areas (namely, Driver, Retrofits, EOBD and Inspection) in order to substantially reduce vehicle emissions from 3 main sources (i.e. powertrain, brake wear and tyre wear).
The results will be used as evidence with adequate quality to guide the derivation of effective driving practices and training courses for different user groups. MODALES echoes the EC ambition to open up global markets in transport services, through the creation of a worldwide platform for sharing and exchanging innovative solutions, experience and best practices for low-emission practices.