Green Freight Programs Survey on Freight Industry – Report

Executive Summary

Research Purpose and Objectives

The SmartWay program was designed to help Canadian freight transportation companies improve supply chain sustainability through measuring, benchmarking, and improving freight transportation efficiency and thus, resulting in reduced fuel costs for businesses while transporting goods in the cleanest most efficient way possible. While the program was launched in the US in 2004 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in 2012, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) began to administer the program in Canada.

Responsibility to reduce emissions from supply chains is becoming increasingly important in customer and corporate decision-making. As a result, companies are reaching out to business partners with similar goals, turning fuel efficiency and emissions reductions into a business-to-business proposition. By moving goods in the cleanest, most efficient way possible, SmartWay partners foster higher productivity while protecting the environment.

Research Objectives

The overall objective of the research was to assess perspectives on reducing fuel use and improving energy efficiency in freight transportation among the heavy-duty trucking industry, as well as establish a baseline for future measures.

The specific research objectives included:

• Assess familiarity with the SmartWay freight transportation partnership program;
• Determine the types of fuel efficiency information that businesses track;
• Understand the perceived importance of tracking fuel consumption;
• Understanding what, if any, fuel reduction activities have been implemented/managed;
• Determine which, if any, green freight programs are used to help to track fuel use;
• Understand what, if any, fuel reduction technologies the heavy-duty trucking industry has invested in;
• Identify barriers to adopting fuel reduction activities/technologies; and
• Determine the types and sources of information on fuel efficiency that are considered useful.

The results of this research will be used to inform program and policy development for Natural Resources Canada.

Methodology

The findings of this study are based on a telephone survey conducted from November 1, 2018 to November 23, 2018 among 300 representatives of the Canadian freight transportation industry (general freight trucking (local and long distance) and specialized freight trucking (excluding used goods)) who are involved in or at least knowledgeable about the management or implementation of trucking fuel efficiency programs and policies within their company’s fleet of vehicles. The survey obtained an overall response rate of 4.7% and holds a margin of error of +/-5.6 per cent at 95% confidence level, 19 times out of 20.

The sample was drawn from a purchased list of NAICS codes 4841 (general freight trucking) and 4842 (specialized freight trucking - excluding used goods). A census-style approach was undertaken, meaning that all available sample was draw and used to achieve the completions outlined below:

• 484110: General freight trucking, local: N=115
• 484121 and 484122: General freight trucking, long distance: N=127
• 484220 and 484230: Specialized Freight Trucking - excluding used goods: N=58

To meet the overall goal of identifying perspectives on reducing fuel use and improving energy efficiency, the study explores attitudes toward fuel consumption by assessing the importance of tracking fuel consumption and fuel efficiency activities and participation in such activities, as well as the perceived barriers to adopting fuel reduction activities and technologies. The study also explores familiarity, participation, and usage of green freight transportation programs, with a focus on FleetSmart- SmartDriver Training program, SmartWay Transport Partnership and the Green Freight Assessment Program.

Sub-group analyses, statistical significance and rounding

Analysis was undertaken to establish any differences based on business characteristics such as location (region), type of fleet (private, for-hire and both), number of trucks, type of trucks (short haul, long haul and both), size of business, use of tracking, use of fuel reduction technologies or activities and familiarity with the green freight transportation programs such as, FleetSmart- SmartDriver Training program, SmartWay Transport Partnership and Green Freight Assessment Program. Only differences significant at the 95% confidence level are presented in this report.

The numbers presented throughout this report are rounded to the closest full number. Due to this rounding, in some cases it may appear that ratings collapsed together are different by a percentage point from when they are presented individually, and totals may not add up to 100%.

Contract Value

The total contract value for the project was $76,119.63 including applicable taxes.

Statement of Political Neutrality

I hereby certify as a representative of Kantar TNS that the deliverables fully comply with the Government of Canada political neutrality requirements outlined in the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada and Procedures for Planning and Contracting Public Opinion Research. Specifically, the deliverables do not include information on electoral voting intentions, political party preferences, standings with the electorate or ratings of the performance of apolitical party or its leaders.

Tanya Whitehead
Kantar TNS
Senior Director

Summary of Findings

Respondent Profile

Three-hundred representatives from the Canadian freight transportation industry were interviewed. Most representatives that were surveyed were from small businesses (1 to 99 employees) (89%) and were fairly well distributed regionally:  Atlantic Canada (6%), Quebec (36%), Ontario, and the Prairies (24% each) and BC (11%).  

Businesses surveyed had a variety of fleets; some had exclusively private fleets (41%) while others had exclusively for-hire fleets (35%) and the remaining (26%) had a combination of both. Furthermore, most (44%) businesses had a combination of short and long-haul trucks while nearly one-third (32%) had only short haul trucks (32%) and only one-quarter (24%) had only long-haul trucks.

Green Freight Programs

Familiarity with green transportation programs among the Canadian freight transportation industry is relatively low (30%) (4/5 on a 5-point scale) and nearly one-quarter (25%) report “no familiarity at all” with the FleetSmart- SmartDriver Training program, the SmartWay Transport Partnership or the Green Freight Assessment Program. Familiarity varies by program, with FleetSmart- SmartDriver Training program having the highest familiarity (21%) followed by SmartWay Transport Partnership (17%) and the Green Freight Assessment Program (10%).

Participation in green transportation programs among the Canadian freight transportation industry is moderately low; with approximately one-in-four (26%) businesses participating in at least one green transportation program. Participation is strongest for the SmartWay Transport Partnership and FleetSmart-Smart Driver Training programs (14% and 12% respectively) followed by the Green Freight Assessment program (5%) and “other” green freight transportation programs (2%).  

Businesses that are more familiar with the SmartWay Transport Partnership, FleetSmart-Smart Driver Training and/or Green Freight Assessment programs are also more likely to participate in them. For example, businesses familiar with the FleetSmart-Smart Driver Training program were more likely to be participants in the SmartWay Transport Partnership program (36% vs. 9%) and the Green Freight Assessment program (11% vs. 4%) compared to those who were not familiar.

Tracking Fuel Consumption and Investment in Fuel Reduction Technologies

Tracking fuel consumption is considered important (4/5 on a 5-point scale) by the majority (80%) of the businesses in the Canadian freight transportation industry. In fact, almost two-thirds (63%) considering it “very” important. Thus, it is not surprising to find that virtually all businesses in the Canadian freight transportation industry (99%) track at least some information related to the fuel efficiency of their fleets and/or invests in at least one fuel reduction technology or activity (95%). Those most commonly tracked information includes:

• Fuel consumption (91%);
• Total kilometers travelled (89%);
• Average speed and idle time (70% each);
• Driving habits (66%);
• Empty kilometers travelled annually (58%); and
• Annual average payload (53%).

While the most common technologies invested in or activities undertaken include:

• Electronic on-board devices (77%);
• Auxiliary power units and/ or cab heaters (66%);
• Tire technology (51%);
• Anti-idling equipment (51%);
• Aerodynamic equipment (47%);
• Driver-trainer or incentive programs (47%); and
• Improved trailer capacity utilization programs (36%).

Barriers to Adopting or Implementing Fuel Reduction Activities or Technologies

Nine-in-ten (90%) Canadian freight transportation businesses have faced barriers when trying to adopt or implement fuel reduction activities or technologies. A lack of human resources or time (54%), uncertainty about the performance of the fuel reduction activity or technology (53%) and/or an uncertainty about the return on investment (50%) are noted as challenges or barriers to the adoption or implementation of fuel reduction activities or technologies by at least half of all Canadian freight transportation businesses. Many businesses also indicated that competing operational priorities (46%), lack of knowledge (39%) and access to refueling infrastructures (26%) create barriers while a small number of businesses indicated that a lack of senior management buy-in (14%) or other reasons (15%) create barriers.

Information on Fuel Efficiency

Canadian freight transportation businesses were asked to identify the types of information on fuel efficiency they consider most useful from a pre-determined list. Fuel consumption ratings for HDV (73%) and on-road performance of energy efficient technologies (71%) are considered useful by nearly three-quarters of businesses while more than half would find a business case for adopting energy efficient technologies and practices (57%) useful. Many also consider data on the energy efficiency of Canada’s HDV fleet (46%) and stories on fleets transition to decarbonizing operations (38%) useful.

Demographic Differences

Analysis was undertaken to establish any differences based on business characteristics such as region, type of fleet (private, for-hire and both), number of trucks, type of trucks (short haul, long haul and both), size of business, etc. While most business characteristics have no impact on the business’ perspectives and behaviour related to reducing fuel use and improving energy efficiency, the composition of fleet does tend to play a role. In particular, the type of trucks within the fleet (i.e., long or short-haul), the type of fleet (i.e., private or for-hire) and the number of trucks in the fleet tend to play a role in the businesses perspective and behaviours related to reducing fuel use and improving energy efficiency.

Companies with long or short-haul trucks tend to have different perspectives and behaviours related to fuel efficiency. More specifically companies with only short-haul trucks are:

• Less likely to consider tracking fuel-consumption important (62% vs. 88-89%);
• Less likely to track activities related to fuel-efficiency regardless of method;
• Less likely to invest in fuel reduction technology or activities (88% vs. 97-100% invest in at least one activity or technology); and
• Less familiar with the SmartWay Transport Partnership than those with only long-haul trucks (9% vs. 29%) and less likely to participate in the SmartWay Transport (7% vs. 23%).

Business with exclusively private fleets are more likely to find all information on fuel efficiency useful compared to those with only for-hire fleets and are also less familiar with SmartWay than companies with for hire or both in their fleet (7% vs. 23% and 26% respectively). As well, investment in fuel reduction technologies or activities tends to be higher as the number of trucks in a fleet increases. For example, businesses that have 20 or more trucks in their fleet are more likely to invest in most technologies or activities compared to those who have fewer trucks in their fleet.

Conclusions

In summary, participation in green transportation programs among the Canadian freight transportation industry is low. Low participation is likely driven by low familiarity with the programs given the high importance of tracking fuel consumption among businesses as well as their high participation in tracking activities and investment in fuel-efficient technologies and activities.

Addressing barriers related to a lack of knowledge on fuel efficiency activities or technologies, uncertainties about the performance of various fuel-efficient technologies and the return on investment can further encourage the uptake of tracking fuel-efficiency and fuel-efficient technologies among the Canadian freight transportation industry. Furthermore, outreach to companies that have short-haul and smaller fleets may also help to improve uptake given their lower overall uptake and participation in green freight programming and adoption of fuel efficiency tracking and technology.

Detailed Findings

Familiarity and Usage of Green Transportation Programs and Activities

Familiarity with the Green Transportation Programs

Familiarity with green transportation programs among the Canadian freight transportation industry is relatively low. A mere 30% of Canadian freight transportation companies report being familiar (4/5 on a 5-point scale) with at least one of the following Canadian green transportations programs:

• FleetSmart- SmartDriver Training program
• SmartWay Transport Partnership
• Green Freight Assessment Program

One-quarter (25%) report “no familiarity at all” with any of the Canadian green transportation programs noted above.

Familiarity varies by program, with FleetSmart- SmartDriver Training program having the highest familiarity (21%) followed by SmartWay Transport Partnership (17%) and the Green Freight Assessment Program (10%).

For the most part, familiarity with the various programs does not vary based on company demographics with the exception of familiarity with the SmartWay Transport Partnership; where companies with fleets of private vehicles are less familiar with SmartWay (7%) than companies with for hire (23%) or both (26%) in their fleet. As well, companies with only long-haul trucks are more familiar with the SmartWay Transport Partnership than those with only short-haul trucks (29% vs. 9%).

Businesses with familiarity of at least one green transportation program have higher familiarity among other Canadian green transportation programs. For example, those who are familiar with the FleetSmart- SmartDriver Training program are more familiar with the SmartWay Transport Partnership (47% vs. 10%) and the Green Freight Assessment Program (39% vs. 2%).

Participation in Green Freight Programs

Participation in green transportation programs among the Canadian freight transportation industry is moderately low; with approximately one-in-four (26%) businesses participating in at least one green transportation program. Participation is strongest for the SmartWay Transport Partnership (14%) and FleetSmart-Smart Driver Training programs (12%) followed by the Green Freight Assessment program (5%) and “other” green freight transportation programs (2%) such as in-house training, GPS (e.g., Geotab), and the Eco-trucking program (1% each).

Participation in green freight programs does not generally vary by company demographics except for the type of trucks in their fleet (i.e., short or long-haul). More specifically, business with only short-haul trucks (7%) are less likely to participate in the SmartWay Transport Partnership compared to those that have only long-haul trucks in their fleets (23%).

Businesses that are more familiar with the SmartWay Transport Partnership, FleetSmart-Smart Driver Training and Green Freight Assessment programs are also more likely to participate in them. For example, businesses familiar with the FleetSmart-Smart Driver Training program were more likely to be participants in the SmartWay Transport Partnership program (36% vs. 9%) and the Green Freight Assessment program (11% vs. 4%).  However, it should be noted that familiarity with a program does not ensure participation. Among those who are familiar with any green freight assessment program (30%), only 60% participate in at least one green freight program. Participation among those who are familiar with the program varies widely by individual programs. More specifically, among those familiar with the FleetSmart-Smart Driver Training program (21%), 42% participate in the program; among those who are familiar with the Green Freight Assessment program (17%), 12% participate in the program and among those who are familiar with the SmartWay Transport Partnership (10%), 40% participate in the program.

Attitudes towards Fuel Consumption

Importance of Tracking Fuel Consumption

A majority (80%) of the businesses in the Canadian freight transportation industry consider tracking fuel consumption important (4/5 on a 5-point scale) with almost two-thirds (63%) considering it “very” important. Few businesses do not consider tracking fuel consumption important (9%) (1/2 on a 5-point scale). 

For the most part, the importance of tracking fuel consumption does not vary based on company demographics with the exception of the type of trucks in their fleet (i.e., long or short-haul). In general, businesses that only have short-haul trucks in their fleets are less likely to consider tracking fuel-consumption important (62%) compared to businesses that have fleets with only long-haul trucks (89%) or both long and short-haul trucks (88%).

Businesses that invested in fuel reduction technologies or activities consider the tracking of fuel consumption more important than those who don’t (81% vs. 52%; 5/4 on a 5-point scale).

Fuel Efficiency Activities

In this section we explore the activities undertaken for tracking fuel efficiency along with technologies that business have invested in.

Tracking Fuel Efficiency Activities

Virtually all businesses in the Canadian freight transportation industry (99%) track at least some information related to the fuel efficiency of their fleets. Fuel consumption (91%) and total kilometers travelled annually (89%) are the most commonly tracked information, followed by average speed and idle time (70% each), driving habits (66%), empty kilometers travelled annually (58%), annual average payload (53%) and other (25%). Other tracking activities include: maintenance (5%), cost of fuel, mileage (4% each), tire quality, brakes, tonnage (2% each) and fuel quality and safety items (1% each).

In general, the type of information tracked does not vary by company demographics although the type of trucks in the fleet (i.e., long or short-haul) does. Companies that have only short-haul trucks are less likely to track fuel-efficiency regardless of method. As well, businesses that invest in fuel reduction technologies or activities, are more likely to track fuel efficiency than those who do not invest in fuel reduction technologies. Furthermore, companies that are familiar with SmartDriver, SmartWay and/or the Green Freight Assessment Program are more likely to track average annual payload and idle time compared to companies that are not familiar with these programs. As well, participants in the SmartDriver, SmartWay and/or the Green Freight Assessment Programs are more likely to track driving habits (85% vs. 61%) and idle time (84% vs. 67%) compared to those who are not participants. For complete details please see the table below.

Fuel-efficiency technologies and activities

The vast majority of the Canadian freight transportation industry invests in at least one fuel reduction technology or activity (95%). The most common technologies or activities undertaken include: electronic on-board devices (77%), auxiliary power units and/ or cab heaters (66%), tire technology (51%), anti-idling equipment (51%), aerodynamic equipment (47%), driver-trainer or incentive programs (47%), improved trailer capacity utilization programs (36%) and “other” (10%). Other activities include using different fuels or fuel-efficient supplements (4%), investing in newer more fuel-efficient technologies (2%) and miscellaneous others (5%).

Investment in fuel reduction technologies or activities tends to be higher as the number of truck in a fleet increases. For example, businesses that have 20 or more trucks in their fleet are more likely to invest in most technologies or activities compared to those who have fewer trucks. Complete details can be found in the table below.

Furthermore, businesses with long-haul or both types of trucks in their fleets are also more likely to invest in fuel reduction technology or activities compared to those with only short-haul trucks in their fleet (97% for long-haul; 100% for both vs. 88% for short-haul).

Businesses that are familiar with green transportation programs like the Green Freight Assessment program, FleetSmart-Smart Driver Training program, and SmartWay Transport Partnership program, are more likely to invest in fuel reduction technologies or activities. Complete details can be found in the table below.

Barriers to adopting fuel reduction activities/technologies

Most Canadian freight transportation businesses have faced barriers when trying to adopt or implement fuel reduction activities or technologies (90%). More than half of businesses identified a lack of human resources or time (54%), uncertainty about the performance of fuel reduction activities or technologies (53%) and/or uncertainty about the return on investment (50%) as challenges or barriers to the adoption or implementation of fuel reduction activities or technologies. Many businesses also indicated that competing operational priorities (46%), lack of knowledge (39%) and access to refueling infrastructures (26%) create barriers to adopting fuel reduction activities or technologies. A small number of businesses indicated that a lack of senior management buy-in (14%) or other reasons (15%) create barriers. Other reasons cited included costs of fuel or fuel reduction technologies (3%), the belief that new trucks have reduced efficiency (2%) the belief that emission technology acts a barrier (2%), drivers ignore fuel efficiency to reach destinations on time, legislation (1% each) and miscellaneous others (8%).

Usefulness of Fuel Efficiency Information

Canadian freight transportation businesses were asked to identify the types of information on fuel efficiency they consider most useful from a set list. Fuel consumption ratings for HDV (73%) and on-road performance of energy efficient technologies (71%) are considered useful by nearly three-quarters of businesses while more than half would find a business case for adopting energy efficient technologies and practices (57%) useful. Many also consider data on the energy efficiency of Canada’s HDV fleet (46%) and stories on fleets transition to decarbonizing operations (38%) useful.

While there are few regional differences when it comes to useful information, businesses in the Atlantic (93%) and Quebec (100%) consider information on fuel consumption ratings for HDV more useful than those in other regions (54-62% for Ontario, Prairies or BC).

Interestingly, businesses with only private fleets, are more likely to find all the information on fuel efficiency useful compared to those with only for hire fleets. Complete details can be found in the table below.

Respondent Profile

Three-hundred representatives from the Canadian freight transportation industry were interviewed. Most representatives that were surveyed were from small businesses (1 to 99 employees) (89%) and were fairly well distributed regionally:  Atlantic Canada (6%), Quebec (36%), Ontario, and the Prairies (24% each) and BC (11%).

Businesses surveyed had a variety of fleets; some had exclusively private fleets (41%) while others had exclusively for-hire fleets (35%) and the remaining (26%) had a combination of both. Furthermore, most (44%) businesses had a combination of short and long-haul trucks while nearly one-third (32%) had only short haul trucks (32%) and only one-quarter (24%) had only long-haul trucks. Nearly half of the businesses (47%) had relatively new fleets (less than 5 years old). 

Methodology

Methodological Overview

A telephone survey was conducted from November 1, 2018 to November 23, 2018 among representatives of the Canadian freight transportation industry who are involved in or knowledgeable about the management or implementation of trucking fuel efficiency programs and policies within their company’s fleet of vehicles.

A list of Canadian freight transportation industry businesses belonging to general freight: local (NAICS code 484110), general freight: long distance (NAICS codes 484121 &484122), and specialized freight trucking; excluding used goods (NAICS codes 484220 & 484230) was purchased.

The sample was drawn from a purchased list of NAICS codes 4841 (general freight trucking) and 4842 (Specialized freight trucking - excluding used goods). A census-style approach was undertaken, meaning that all available sample was draw and used to achieve the completions outlined below:

• 484110: General freight trucking, local: N= 115
• 484121 and 484122: General freight trucking, long distance: N=127
• 484220 and 484230: Specialized Freight Trucking - excluding used goods: N=58

In total, 300 telephone interviews were conducted (see the table below for completions by quotas). Findings from these 300 completions are extrapolated to Canadian freight transportation businesses (NAICS 4841) and specialized freight trucking businesses (NAICS code 4842 excluding used goods) with a margin of error of +/-5.6 per cent 19 times out of 20.

Questionnaire

Based on the objectives of the research and discussion with the Project Authority, Kantar TNS developed the questionnaire in English and then translated it into French using an in-house translator. The resulting survey included 22 questions that were primarily closed-ended. The survey took an average of 11.3 minutes to complete.

Survey Pretest

A survey pretest was conducted on October 23, 2018 by completing 20 questionnaires; 10 in English and 10 in French, under live field conditions. Results of the pre-test indicated that some revisions to the language were required to ensure clarity among respondents and that some questions needed to be removed in order be closer to the desired 10-minute survey length. Therefore, the survey was re-drafted.

Sample Design and Selection

The sample was drawn from a purchased list of Canadian freight transportation industry businesses belonging to general freight: local (NAICS code 484110), general freight: long distance (NAICS codes 484121 & 484122), and specialized freight trucking; excluding used goods (NAICS codes 484220 & 484230). The following table presents the number of records available by corresponding NAICS code.   Respondents were screened to ensure that they were involved in or knowledgeable about the management or implementation of trucking fuel efficiency programs and policies within the company’s fleet or vehicles.

Survey Administration

The telephone survey, on average 11.30 minutes long, was conducted using computer assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) technology by Market Pulse in the official languages of choice of the respondent. Fieldwork took place during the day on weekdays and ran for three weeks (November 1, 2018 to November 23, 2018). Interviews were done in accordance with the Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act. The field staff directly involved in data collection, including interviewers, were located in Canada, and survey data were stored on servers and back-up servers located solely in Canada.

Non-response Bias

The response rate for this survey was 4.7%. In order to maximize response Kantar TNS undertook the following:

• A minimum of 8 call backs were made before retiring a number
• Call backs were rescheduled at different times and days in order to maximize the possibility of an answer
• Appointments and call backs were offered at flexible times so respondents could take the survey at the most convenient time

As with all samples, there is a possibility of non-response bias. In particular, this survey does not include members of the population who only work on weekends or who may have been ill or on leave during the field period. In addition, some groups within the population are systemically less likely to answer surveys. To address the issue of non-response bias, data were weighted to be representative of the NAICS codes population in the freight transportation businesses in Canada. Complete weighting details can be found in the following section. It is noted here that due to the use of quotas, non-response analysis by NAICS code cannot be undertaken and due to not having sufficient population data, non-response bias cannot be measured.

Weighting

Weighting adjustments were applied to the final edited, clean data to ensure that the data were representative of freight transportation businesses in Canada. The weighting matrix for this project is based on the population numbers (unique businesses in Canada) as provided by the list provider in the three NAICS groups. The three groups are: general freight: local (484110), general freight: long distance (484121 & 484122), and specialized freight trucking excluding used goods (484220 & 484230) (see the tables below).

Margin of Error

With a population of 14,497 freight transportation businesses, a sample size of 300 provides a margin of error of +/-5.6 per cent at 19 times out of 20 (95% confidence level).

Response Rate

A total of 14,378 numbers were dialled, of which n=300 completed the survey. The overall response rate achieved for the telephone study was 4.7%. The following table outlines the sample disposition and response rate as per the MRIA guidelines.

Tabulated Data

Detailed tables are included under separate cover.

Appendix B: Survey Instrument:

English Survey

SmartWay Freight Industry Survey

INTRO_G. Gatekeeper Introduction

Hello, can I speak to someone at your company who is involved in or knowledgeable about fuel efficiency tracking and management within your organization?

IF NECESSARY-

Hello/Bonjour my name is [INSERT NAME], from Kantar TNS. We are currently conducting a survey on behalf of the Government of Canada and are speaking to people who have knowledge about fuel efficiency tracking and management within the freight transportation industry. The results of this study will help guide future public policy on clean energy technology and addressing climate change.

Can I speak to the person who is involved in or knowledgeable about the tracking, management or implementation of fuel efficiency programs and policies within your company’s fleet of vehicles?

INTRO_R. Respondent Introduction

Hello/Bonjour my name is [INSERT NAME], from Kantar TNS. We are currently conducting a survey on behalf of the Government of Canada and are speaking to people who have knowledge about fuel efficiency tracking and management within the freight transportation industry. The results of this study will help guide future public policy on clean energy technology and addressing climate change.

[If NECESSARY: Should you wish to verify the legitimacy of this survey you may contact Patrick Kasparian at patrick.kasparian@kantar.com. ]

Your participation is voluntary and your responses will be kept entirely confidential and anonymous. This survey will take about 10 minutes to complete. 

Would you prefer that I continue in English or French? Préférez-vous continuer en français ou en anglais?

• English
• French

Screening

Q1. Knowledge of fuel efficiency within the company

Are you involved in or knowledgeable about the tracking, management or implementation of fuel efficiency programs and policies within your company’s fleet of vehicles?

• Yes- Go to Q3
• No - Go to Q2

Q2. Who has knowledge

Can you direct me to someone at your company that does?

• Yes- loop back to Respondent Introduction with this new person
• No- “Can I please speak to your receptionist again” Loop back to Gatekeeper introduction

Q3. Operate Heavy duty freight trucks

Does your company operate freight transportation trucks?

ANSWER LIST [SINGLE PUNCH]

• Yes
• No- Terminate

Interviewer instruction: if asked what frieght transportation trucks are: these typically include heavy and light duty trucks used for moving goods – vans do not count

Main Survey

Q4. Importance of Tracking Fuel Consumption

Using a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is not at all important and 5 is very important, how important would you say it is to track fuel consumption within your fleet?

1. 1. Not at all important
2. 2. 
3. 3. 
4. 4. 
5. 5. Very important
6. 99. Don’t know

Q5. Type of info tracked

Now, thinking about freight trucks that your company uses, which of the following do you track? Please indicate yes or no for each answer.

[INTERVIEWER: READ LIST AND PAUSE FOR A YES/NO AFTER EACH]

STATEMENTS [RANDOMIZE]

1. Annual average payload
2. Fuel consumption
3. Total Kilometers travelled annually (PROGRAMMING INSTRUCTION – ALWAYS PUT THIS BESIDE EMPTY KM TRAVELLED – randomize the two)
4. Empty kilometers travelled annually
5. Driving habits, for example, keeping steady speeds, coasting to decelerate, etc.
6. Average speed
7. Idle time
8. Anything else, please specify?_________ (specify) – KEEP LAST

ANSWER LIST

• Yes
• No
• DON’T KNOW (DO NOT READ)

PROGRAMMING NOTE: KEEP ANSWERS 3 AND 4 (km) TOGETHER

Q6. Investment in technology

Which of the following fuel reduction technologies or activities has your company implemented? Please indicate yes or no for each one.

[INTERVIEWER: READ LIST AND PAUSE FOR A YES/NO AFTER EACH]

STATEMENTS [RANDOMIZE LIST]

1. Electronic on-board devices such as electronic logs, GPS, etc.
2. Anti-idling equipment
3. Aerodynamic equipment
4. Tire technology
5. Low carbon vehicles (electric and/or hybrid, natural gas)
6. Auxiliary power units and/ or cab heaters
7. Improved trailer capacity utilization programs or policies
8. Driver-trainer or incentive programs
9. Anything else, please specify?_________ (specify) – KEEP LAST

ANSWER LIST

• Yes
• No
• DON’T KNOW (DO NOT READ)

Q8. Barriers to fuel reduction

Which of the following challenges or barriers, if any, has your company encountered when trying to adopt or implement fuel reduction activities or technologies? Please answer yes or no for each one.

[INTERVIEWER: READ LIST AND PAUSE FOR A YES/NO AFTER EACH]

STATEMENTS [RANDOMIZE LIST]

1. Lack of funds
2. Uncertainty about the performance
3. Lack of knowledge
4. Lack of human resources or time
5. Competing operational priorities
6. Lack of senior management buy-in
7. Uncertainty about the return on investment
8. Access to refueling infrastructures
9. Anything else, please specify? _________ (specify) – KEEP LAST

Q11. Familiarity with Programs

Using a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is not at all familiar and 5 is Very familiar, how familiar are you with the following Canadian green transportation programs?

PROGRAMS [RANDOMIZE LIST]

FleetSmart – Smart Driver Training
SmartWay Transport Partnership
Green Freight Assessment Program

1. 1. Not at all familiar
2. 2.  
3. 3.  
4. 4.  
5. 5. Very familiar
6. 99. Don’t know

Q12. SmartWay Program Awareness

Which of the following green freight programs, if any, does your company participate in?

STATEMENTS [RANDOMIZE]

1. SmartWay Transport Partnership
2. FleetSmart Smart Driver Training
3. Green Freight Assessment Program
4. Other, please specify: _________

Q13. What kind of information on fuel efficiency do you find most useful?

READ LIST

ANSWER LIST [RANDOMIZE]

• On-road performance of energy efficient technologies
• Fuel consumption ratings for HDV
• Stories on fleets transition to decarbonizing operations
• Business case for adopting energy efficient technologies and practices
• Data on the energy efficiency of Canada’s HDV fleet
• Other please specify [FIXED]

Demographics

We are almost done, just a few more questions for classification purposes.

Q16. Province

In which province is your office located?

ANSWER LIST [SINGLE PUNCH]

• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Nova Scotia
• Prince Edward Island
• New Brunswick
• Quebec
• Ontario
• Manitoba
• Saskatchewan
• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Northwest Territories
• Nunavut
• Yukon
• DK/Refused

Q17. Type of Fleet

Is your fleet:

• Private
• For hire
• Both
• DK/Refused

Q18. Number of trucks

How many trucks are in your company’s fleet?

Numeric box to enter number in

ANSWER LIST

[NUMERIC OPEN- RANGE 1-9999]
DON’T KNOW [DO NOT READ]

Q19. Long or Short haul

Are the trucks in your fleet long haul or short haul trucks?

ANSWER LIST

• Long
• Short
• Both
• DK/Refused

Q20. Less than 5 years

What percentage of trucks in your fleet are less than five years old

ANSWER LIST

[NUMERIC OPEN- RANGE 0-100]
DON’T KNOW [DO NOT READ]

Q21. Number of employees

How many employees does your company have in your current location? Is it…

[READ LIST]

ANSWER LIST [SINGLE PUNCH]

• No Employees (0)
• 1 to 99
• 100 to 499
• 500+
• DK/Refused

End display

Thank you for your time on this important study! The results, once compiled, can be found on the Library and Archives website.

[IF ASKED: at https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/]