Welcome to a new post of our collection devoted to Efficient Driving Management System. In the last one we talked about the importance of considering the context, those dynamic factors that condition efficient driving.

Following with our previous set up to introduce the indicators, we will talk in this post about the baselines, key element to the EDMS and directly linked to indicators and context.

A baseline is a quantitative reference that provides the basis for comparing with the information collected in the future. When talking about an EDMS, the baseline must be calculated from the efficient driving indicators and metrics on which the EMDS is supported. In the driving performance analysis:

• A baseline will select a set of ED parameters (or indicators) that can be accurately measured and monitored for comparison over time.
  
  
• The baselines could be established globally with respect to the entire fleet and the total set of drivers, or disaggregated by logistic centers or depots, by services, etc.

Most typical baseline in an Efficient Driving Management System consists of the average consumption of the fleet, or a part of it; configured by association of drivers or vehicles. The next figure shows an example of this typical baseline that is usually offered by EDMS products.

An important issue when establishing baselines is to know and control the conditions in which they are created. How long does it take to collect data for it to be considered a reference? Under what conditions are these data to be collected? They are an example of issues to consider when establishing baselines so that subsequent comparisons do not lead to misinterpretations.

If we focus on the duration to collect the data, this is important because it must be long enough to prevent specific events or seasonality from affecting the reference. For example, a collection of a few hours where traffic is heavy can generate a false idea when comparing with periods in which this situation does not occur. This is closely related to our former post, the context. Context also matters in baselines definition and calculation.The method that will be followed to calculate the

baselines should be established at the beginning, although it can be modified in subsequent phases or cycles if appropriate, documenting how to make these changes and when it should be revised. The advance hint of today post is that every successful EDMS must allow baselines to be measured on a recurring basis without being altered by context conditions that make the measured data not comparable. If these different context conditions cannot be avoided, they must be isolated and compensated for by some method in the measurement and comparison process (use of air conditioners, different weather situations, works, etc.).

Now that we are introduced in baselines, we can move a step forward and talk about indicators. But, this will be in our next post… so long! And don’t hesitate to send us your particular enquiries or thoughts regarding efficient and safe driving systems!