PLEASE NOTE: Volunteer recruitment for this study has ended. All volunteer applicants will be notified of their status by Sept. 9, 2009. If you volunteered and have not been contacted about your status in the study, please contact the CST at ecodrivermb@uwinnipeg.ca or call (204) 988-7182.
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To learn more about the public component of the ecoDriver Manitoba program, visit ecodrivermanitoba.ca.
Project Overview
Volunteer with ecoDriver Manitoba and learn driving tips that can help you to save money and the environment.
You don't have to buy a different vehicle, purchase fancy equipment or change your regular route. You can make a difference simply by changing your driving habits. Sign-up as a volunteer and we can show you how these simple changes can add up.
We're looking for 20 participants to volunteer to equip there personal vehicles with a unique, locally made GPS device called OttoView. It monitors emissions, fuel use, fuel cost and driving behaviour.
Volunteers will attend three information sessions between early September and mid February. Shortly before each session, data from the OttoView device will be collected and compared to the previous driving period to mark changes in trip costs, emissions and fuel use.
Learn how smart driving can save you money and save the environment with the ecoDriver Manitoba program.
Volunteer Today
WHY: To improve your driving habits to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fuel use, limiting your effect on the environment and your wallet.
WHAT: Participants will have GPS-based equipment installed in their personal vehicle to monitor their fuel use, emissions and driving behaviours. Volunteers will also attend three information sessions to learn green driving tips.
WHO: We’re looking for 20 people who meet the requirements listed below.
WHEN: The GPS-based component of the Drive Green Manitoba program runs between September 2009 and February 2010.
HOW: Fill out the short, online survey by clicking here.
(Note: You must fill out all 10 questions in the survey, including rating all four reasons (from 1- 4) in question 10 to enter the survey into the system. Please double check this if nothing happens when you click the "done" button.)
If you need more information, please email ecodrivermb@uwinnipeg.ca or call (204) 988-7182.
Participant Eligibility
To be a part of this program, you must meet the following criteria:
- are not a professional driver
- be at least 18 years old
- hold a valid class 5 driver's license
- drive your vehicle approximately 300 kilometres per week
- live within a 100 kilometres of radius of Winnipeg
- be the primary driver of the vehicle, i.e. your vehicle is rarely driven by others
- be captive to your vehicle, i.e. you do not switch vehicles often
- are not intending on replacing your vehicle for duration of the study
- be willing to have the equipment installed and removed from your vehicle
- be willing to attend three (3) information sessions during the duration of the program
- be willing to sign a consent form
As well, your vehicle must meet the following criteria:
- model year of at least 1996
- not be a Honda, Acura, Lexus, or Chrysler product
- be insured for the duration of the study
If you meet these criteria, please participate in a short, online survey by clicking here.
(Note: You must fill out all 10 questions in the survey, including rating all four reasons (from 1- 4) in question 10 to enter the survey into the system. Please double check this if nothing happens when you click the "done" button.)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I participate in this project?
You can volunteer to participate in the trial component of the ecoDriver Manitoba program by completing the short, online survey available here (survey now closed).
What exactly is required from volunteers?
Volunteers are required to have GPS-based equipment installed in their vehicle for the duration of the study (early September 2009 – mid Febrauary 2010) as well as:
- Attend three (3) short information sessions (approximately one-hour each)
- Have equipment removed and returned at the completion of the study
What do I get for volunteering?
In addition to the knowledge gained and money saved on fuel, participants will receive measured results indicating their reduction in emissions, trip and fuel cost, be rewarded with a small honorarium ($50) and a complimentary one-year membership to The Centre for Sustainable Transportation.
What will be done with the information gathered from the study?
The data collected from this component of the ecoDriver Manitoba program will be used to analyze the effectiveness of information sessions and drivers’ willingness to make behavioural changes.
The information gathered will be turned over to the project coordinator, Green Manitoba, and will remain the property of Green Manitoba. All personal information will remain private and confidential.
Why is this project important?
The program can help determine the effectiveness of driver education programs and create baselines to analyze green driving behaviours. We are currently reliant on fossil fuels, which are a limited resource and create harmful effects to both environmental and human health. We all need to do our part to develop a system of sustainable transportation.
For a world-recognized definition of sustainable transportation, visit http://www.centreforsustainabletransportation.org/sustainabletransport.htm.
Is this project occurring in other cities/areas?
Yes, similar style programs are being conducted in other Canadian provinces including Ontario’s Eco-Driver program and the DriveWiser program in Nova Scotia. For more information, see the links below.
What if I have more questions?
Call us with your questions at (204) 988-7182 or send an email to ecodrivermb@uwinnipeg.ca.
