In 2004, the Product Development and Manufacturing Center (PDM Center) at Oakland University applied the PDM Center's "Fleet Improvement Methodology" to D-Truck operations. In executing this methodology, the PDM Center works with fleets to apply the systems engineering process, resulting in a portfolio of opportunities aimed at improving fleet cost and operational performance. This includes the creation of several models used to create the portfolio of initiatives that would improve a fleet's cost competitiveness.

Working with many people in D-Truck operations including operations, maintenance, financial, and others, this methodology was executed and the portfolio of improvement opportunities was presented to management in a tollgate review in August of 2003.

Three initiatives were recommended and approved at that tollgate. They were:

1) Refinement of metric collection
2) Fleet testing of Oil treatments to help improve fuel costs
3) Fleet testing of Fuel Additives to help improve fuel costs

Given this support, over the next year, activities occurred to gather more accurate metrics on the performance of vehicles. Further, the most promising technology study identified in the portfolio was undertaken. That was a fuel additive study focused on using Boron-CLS-Bond™ Diesel fuel additive. This was shown in July 2004 to improve fuel economy on a set of test buses by at least 10% (with 95% confidence).

If generalized to the fleet, this improvement represents roughly a $300,000 dollar a year savings in fuel costs.

Future steps of implementation of the study aimed at realizing future cost savings opportunities are presented in this document.