Article: women use "trip chaining" ecodriving tactic more than men

[MetroMPG]

The article states that "trip chaining" (combining multiple trips) is more efficient because it can reduce the total distance driven.

But serious hypermilers know another major benefit of combining trips is that it minimizes the number of cold/hot cycles the vehicle experiences (vs. multiple "single goal" trips), and lets you accomplish more while the vehicle (not only its engine) is at higher operating temperatures.

Female drivers are more likely than males to make multiple stops during a single car trip, according to a Statistics Canada study released yesterday.

The study examined trip chaining - the practice of stopping at multiple points during a single car trip - and found that 45 per cent of all the car trips men make involve just one stop, a number that drops to 39 per cent for women. On more complex trips involving three or more stops, women drivers outnumber men by a ratio of around 3 to 2.

[...]

The study results also hint that female drivers could be better for the environment than their male counterparts. Governments and environmental advocates have recently begun promoting trip chaining as a way of cutting down on greenhouse-gas emissions.

By condensing a number of destinations into a single excursion, motorists can trim the total distance they drive in a day and the amount of carbon dioxide their cars spew into the atmosphere.

Read more: She's on the road and multitasking

[MetroMPG]

Based on years of watching how my own parents use their vehicles, my anectdotal evidence supports the study.

My dad is a serial single trip, "must do it now!" type of car user. I'm sure his garage door opener will be worn out years before my mom's. I would have to say that my mom does seem to plan her trips to get more done.

[SVOboy]

Very interesting. I would say I see that same thing, even in myself. I'll hop on my bike to go basically nowhere for almost nothing,