"WE CREATE ATMOSPHERE" ON THE A4 KATOWICE-KRAKOW

Stalexport Autostrada Małopolska S.A. supports an environmental education campaign "WE create atmosphere” carried out by the Ministry of the Environment. The aim of the action is to promote good practices in preventing air pollution. As part of the campaign the organiser tells drivers what driving behaviour helps to protect the environment, increase safety of travellers and save fuel. Between 9 and 16 October drivers passing through the toll gates on the A4 Katowice-Krakow will get a leaflet containing advice on ecological and economical driving.

"Check tyre pressure before you go”, "do not put unnecessary things in your trunk", "do not overdo air-conditioning” and "brake with your engine instead of using neutral gear" – are only some pieces of advice which the minister has for travellers. Organiser of the campaign "WE create atmosphere” argues that eco-driving not only significantly reduces the amount of toxic substances released from exhaust pipes into the air but it also lets the driver save even PLN 1200 during the year.

Stalexport Autostrada Małopolska S.A. has checked how the driving style, car accessories or the way of using on-board devices may influence fuel consumption. As part of the education campaign "THE JOY OF SAVING” carried out two years ago the administrator of the A4 Katowice-Krakow motorway made a test of economical driving on this stretch. The test revealed e.g. that during driving with open windows the car may use almost 20% more fuel, and that engine braking may limit consumption by almost 10%. On the other hand dynamic driving may consume even 47% more fuel than economical driving.

Results of the economical driving test made on the A4 Katowice-Krakow*

• a 20% lower than required pressure in tyres may lead to a nearly 19% increase in fuel consumption
•  driving on neutral gear may lead to 11% higher fuel consumption
• driving with a full boot may increase consumption by 1.5%
•  dynamic driving may lead to even 47% higher fuel consumption
•  engine braking may lower fuel consumption by nearly 10%
•  open windows may increase consumption by almost 20%
•  using cruise control may save about 9% of fuel
•  driving with the maximum allowable speed may use 57% more fuel than at around 100 km/h
•  air conditioning set on a minimum temperature may increase consumption by almost 12%

 *The test was made using two identical cars, VOLVO V40 T3, with petrol engines. As part of the test several trips were made on the concession stretch of the A4 and each time it was checked how a given factor may influence fuel consumption. Drivers of both cars set off at the same time. One of them closely followe the principles of economic driving and the other was absolutely careless in this respect. Such a test, carried out in natural conditions on a motorway has been made for the first time in Poland. Test report and results are available at: http://youtu.be/P_p_JBC1CXo.

Results of economical driving test carried out by SAM S.A. on the A4 Katowice-Krakow are estimates.

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About Stalexport Autostrada Małopolska S.A. (SAM S.A.)

Stalexport Autostrada Małopolska S.A. manages the 60-kilometre long stretch of the A4 motorway between Katowice and Krakow. It is the first fully functional road of this kind in Poland, built within the framework of public-private partnership as a brownfield investment – modernisation of the road built in the 1970s and 1980s. Stalexport Autostrada Małopolska S.A. has held the concession for its adaptation to the requirements of a toll motorway and operation since 1997. Meeting the concession obligations has required numerous investments. All investment projects, including current maintenance of the road, are financed from tolls for using the concession stretch and from loans obtained from an international bank consortium. Unlike other concessions for managing toll motorways, the project run by Stalexport Autostrada Małopolska S.A. does not burden the state budget in any way. The company does not receive the so-called availability payments from the State. The company does not benefit from any State Treasury subsidies or guarantees.

For further information please contact:

Rafał Czechowski
Spokesperson for SAM S.A.
e-mail: [email protected]
tel. 601063200