The project began by defining low-emission factors (WP2), in which over 250 papers and reports were analysed to define various driving behaviours. It produced recommendations and guidelines for real driving data to be collected in MODALES. A task on OBD inspection and maintenance (I/M) requirements studied I/M practices and the effectiveness of I/M to detect high emitting vehicles. It reviewed OBD protocols and investigated “inspection databases” in some European countries, in order to identify key issues in maintenance behaviour. Data was collected from installations of retrofit systems in buses. A task on low emission (L-E) driving requirements carried out a comparative analysis of L-E driving and eco-driving, taking into account safety criteria. It transferred scientific results into best practices for L-E training and education. Data collection and analysis was carried out on legal issues on tampering in 14 countries in Europe.
Work on the impact of user behaviours (WP3) used a Portable Emission Measurement System (PEMS) on a 30 km route in Finland, with a pool of 15 drivers in 6 cars, to measure real powertrain emissions. A brake dynamometer test was set up and was used to perform emission tests on a reference vehicle with two different testing cycles. Tyre wear (mass-loss) measurement campaigns were also carried out, with data collection from taxi fleets in Italy and Greece.
In WP4 on Effectiveness of Inspections and Depollution Systems, the project benchmarked and selected the OBD dongles to be used during the user trials of the smartphone app. Periodic inspections and other anti-tampering solutions involved a market review on devices for CAN Bus data sniffing. A retrofit demonstration for a light commercial vehicle was done, with a mechanical installation, emission testing and integration to vehicle electronics. The system was tested to meet emission reduction requirements and results were satisfactory.
The project developed guidelines and tools for L-E training (WP5) including a scoring algorithm using AI techniques. Guidelines for L-E driving were proposed, functional specifications of the mobile app and a web dashboard were made. The smartphone app with a data collection module was produced in Android and iOS versions. Training videos for L-E driving were developed and made available in 8 languages.
In User Trials and Evaluation (WP6), an Evaluation Plan was created, followed by the recruitment of volunteer drivers for naturalistic trials of the training and app. The 170 drivers at seven European sites (in Finland, UK, Luxembourg, Spain, Italy, Greece and Turkey) drove in baseline mode for at least a month using the MODALES app coupled with an OBD dongle for data collection only . Then the drivers viewed the training video and updated the MODALES app so that it provided on-trip and post-trip feedback. They drove in this treatment phase using the app and the before and after data was compared for each user. The driving data from the dongle and app were transmitted to a server at MODALES partner LIST in Luxembourg and treated anonymously, with full respect for GDPR. Drivers also responded to different evaluation questionnaires. On-road trials also took place in Nanjing, China, but because of Chinese legal requirements, the MODALES app could not be used, only the training.
The trial results were largely positive, especially with respect to reducing brake emissions. An impact assessment study was performed.
WP7 of MODALES produced annual dissemination plans and communication tools (e.g. website and brochure), media and messages, as well as technical dissemination mainly in the form of physical and online events and scientific papers (23 published). An Awareness Campaign (in 11 languages) was disseminated via the project website and the social media of motoring organisations in several European countries, as well as the driver training videos. WP1 carried out the Project Management, including Innovation, Ethics and Data Protection.
