Arriva is currently installing ‘econometers’ in its fleet of buses – a device that automatically regulates the acceleration of its fleet in a bid to ensure a smoother, more comfortable ride for passengers.

The device helps save on fuel costs and reduces emissions in the process. Arriva’s buses are already equipped with environmentally-friendly Euro V engines.

Speaking to The Malta Independent on Sunday, an Arriva spokesman explained that the aim of the device is not to control the speed of the buses but, rather, to reduce acceleration.

He said that a “device is being fitted on its fleet of buses following a pilot project conducted last year, during which our drivers were also trained in eco-driving, in line with the company’s policy”.

Driver training and adoption of eco-driving techniques are central to delivering the improvements in fuel consumption that the technology supports.

An exact definition of an econometer is that it permits the measurement of engine oil consumption, the procedure using sulphur in the oil as a tracer. The concentration of sulphur compounds in the exhaust gas is determined using a Flame Photometric Detector (FPD). Special modifications of the FPD reduce the interference of other gases and improve the accuracy of the instrument.

Although the unit is operationally simple, its abilities to measure continuously and respond quickly allow it to surpass conventional methods for measurement of oil consumption.

Back in 2009, Arriva was given the green light by the UK to implement fuel-saving technology which, together with changes in driving techniques, helped reduce the exhaust emissions of its British fleet.