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Live Green in Plano Expo
May 5, 2007
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Plano Centre

http://www.plano.gov/Departments/Environmental+Services/GreenLiving/Live+Green+in+Plano+Expo/

This is an annual expo that the City of Plano (near Dallas) puts on. Admission is Free and I've been told that there will be reserved parking for Hybrids ;).

I've submitted a "Speaker Form" and trying to put together a presentation on EcoDriving.

For those in Texas looking to meet up, I'll be there.

Personaly I like the term hypermiling better. It has pizzaz. But I guess for a green gathering ecodriving might make more sense.

I also created the event in the calendar.

Since it's about 40x closer than HybridFest, I can probably visit. :)

Fantastic :woot:

Think I may have roped some people from GH into coming as well. Would anyone happen to have a scan gauge for the event to possibly test out some driving techniques?

I have ScanGage I installed.

Sounds fun!!!

But a-lass I will stay north of the Red River...

psy

bump...

Ok.. The time has arrived... This Saturday I'll be speaking at the Live Green Expo.

http://www.plano.gov/Departments/Environmental+Services/GreenLiving/Live+Green+in+Plano+Expo/speaker_schedule.htm

I'll be on at 10:15 with Tony and 11:30 solo.

I'm planning on keeping it pretty simple, talk about tire pressure, air drag and the like. Any tips on a Hypermiling presentation? I'll probably touch a bit on different nonHybrid FE tech such as:

Lean Burn
Deceleration Fuel Cut
Variable Displacement
Diesel and Atkinson cycle engines
Engine Block Heaters

Any FE technology or techniques that I should touch on. Technique wise I'll focus on:

Reduce speed
Reduce Acceleration
Reduce Deceleration
Optimum FE speed
Plan routes
Time lights
Avoid traffic
Avoid short trips
Travel behind traffic not in front (drafting)
Watch tire pressure
Drive with Load

I probably won't go over Nice-On, FAS, Close-in-draft, or RR, so as to keep Plano City Planners from panicking. Since it's a City event, figure the theme should be mild hypermiling stuff, none of the real fun stuff :( .

Any input would be appreciated.

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Hi Dan:

___Let me add a few comments to your list … I would leave lean-burn out of the discussion as there are no available models you can purchase other then a diesel (where are those as well?). Fuel cut is not really a strategy as it is inherent in any modern day ICE. Every body lets off the gas which induces fuel cut even if they run the brakes down to 1,000 – 1,100 RPM as well. Variable displacement like VCM or DoD? So few automobiles have it I wouldn’t bother unless asked. Just do not run the hopes up for that tech as it is only good for 5 - 12% IIRC. You will lose them on Atkinson cycle. Been there, done that and it was not pretty :(

___Go over RR as it is by far the absolutely safest technique anyone can use and I recommend it more then any other for anyone traveling in the far right lane on today’s highways and byways. It does not matter if they are traveling below, at or above the speed limit; it adds some protection from the extreme speed differentials we have all experienced out on the highway. Anyone in the far right lane on any 2 or more lane highway not using this technique is doing themselves a disservice as it does not matter if they are maximizing their fuel efficiency or not. Using it in the rain also helps safety as it can reduce hydroplaning and increases control.

___You may want to mention Prius’ specific P&G capability but be careful as the acceleration out of a Glide is less then what a non-hybrid or non-HSD hybrid can perform by just dumping the clutch during a FAS or a non-hybrid driver who has no idea what a FAS is.

___Tire pressure. Not just watch them, pump them up to at least max sidewall! There are to many safety positives when doing so vs. the negative NVH increase and slight reduction in snow traction. Where does it snow in Texas anyway ;)

___Short trips. Always take the furthest trip first and begin the shorter hops while heading towards home. Mention Face-out and PP as well. So simple even a caveman could do it … And so few do. What does that tell you about us :(

___I would mention some of the higher fuel economy achievements from the Insight, Prius II, FEH and HCH-I/II’s to get their attention in the beginning and again near the end of your presentation.

___About all for now and who is Tony?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Just one idea to add - weaving between the freeway and access road - polar opposite of the HOV lane to put maximum distance from aggressive drivers.

It's ironic that this is being held in Plano. Plano tends to be a rather ritzy area full of *huge* homes that more than a dozen people could live in but is usually occupied by just 2, *huge* lawns and golf courses that suck down metric tons of water every day, hosts many of the most un-environmentally-friendly retail outlets, etc.

It's ironic that this is being held in Plano. Plano tends to be a rather ritzy area full of *huge* homes that more than a dozen people could live in but is usually occupied by just 2, *huge* lawns and golf courses that suck down metric tons of water every day, hosts many of the most un-environmentally-friendly retail outlets, etc.

Yes - plenty of people in Plano and Frisco living beyond their means - lots of bankrupcies and foreclosures.

Saturday - May 5

Dan, myself, everybody is invited to meet at 7:45am at Denny's at 1830 N. Central Expressway (East Side of freeway, north of 15th St exit - south of Park Blvd - see map (http://maps.yahoo.com/py/maps2.py?Pyt=Typ&name=Denny%27s&desc=(972)+423-8005&addr=1830+N+Central+Expy&csz=Plano+TX)). The Live Green Expo is from 9-5 at 2000 East Spring Creek Parkway (just east of Spring Creek Pkwy and US 75 - see map (http://maps.yahoo.com/index.php#mvt=m&trf=0&lon=-96.685309&lat=33.056317&mag=3))

Looking forward to a recap after Saturday's events & Dan's presentation.

Hi Dan:

___How was the presentation and how was it accepted? Any other tidbits from the gathering you might want to add? Chuck and Marc should give a little update as to their involvement in the event as attendees. I am sure it was a blast for you three to get together :D

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I said my things about the Dallas area having a huge carbon footprint, so I had low expectations about the Live Green Expo - I WAS WRONG!

Priority is to writing an article on the day, and it was very full for me and at least 2,500 attendees. Had quite a few pictures. Just a few of the events:

Dan was well received on both talks, esp the hypermiling one.
Dan test drove a 2007 HCH II
I test drove a 2007 Camery Hybrid, not really aware I had started in the EV mode until forcing a recharge - Dan noticed the enhanced dashboard (pictures to come)
Dan approached KVTT (Channel 11) and the head of the cam crew seems very favorable to find a D/FW hypermiler this summer to do a spot on saving gas.
Guessing 100 businesses had a booth inside or in a tent - CleanMPG should try to get one for 2008.

Hi Dan:

___How was the presentation and how was it accepted? Any other tidbits from the gathering you might want to add? Chuck and Marc should give a little update as to their involvement in the event as attendees. I am sure it was a blast for you three to get together :D

___Good Luck

___WayneQuite well I think. I started off with the easy stuff, get a scanguage, pump up the tires, use cruise control (DWL would have probably been a bit too advanced). Their interest seemed to wane a bit when I talked about slowing down, but If they know that speeding burns more gas, they are halfway there.

Lots of interest in the ScanGuage, I kept mine in my bag and showed it to all who expressed even a passing interest.

More later... I'm beat from the long day.

Big thanks to Chuck and John for their support.

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