The Impact of Driver Behavior on Electric Bus Energy Consumption: Optimizing Driver Performance with Bio-Inspired WUTP Algorithm with Real-Time Big Data

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The transition toward sustainable urban mobility requires not only technological innovations in electric buses (E-Buses) but also optimization of operational factors such as driver behavior, which significantly influences energy consumption and driving range. This study develops a novel artificial intelligence framework, integrating real-time big data with a bio-inspired Water Uptake and Transport in Plants (WUTP) algorithm, to optimize E-Bus driver performance under real-world conditions. Data were collected from trolleybus-type hybrid electric buses operating in Malatya, Turkey, encompassing nearly 50 million observations across diverse seasonal, topographical, and operational contexts. Through preprocessing and correlation-based feature selection, 14 key parameters—including regenerative braking, auxiliary loads (HVAC and static converters), acceleration, and road slope—were identified as critical determinants of energy consumption. The WUTP algorithm, implemented with 60,000 representative data rows, generated optimized driving profiles and weighting coefficients, enabling precise estimation of optimal operational thresholds. Results reveal that maintaining regenerative braking above 77%, moderating accelerator pedal use at approximately 44%, and stabilizing average vehicle speed significantly extend range and reduce energy demand. Comparative evaluation of six drivers demonstrated efficiency disparities exceeding 30%, underscoring the importance of training and monitoring systems. The proposed model is distinguished by its dynamic treatment of auxiliary loads, scalability across routes and climates, and applicability for fleet planning, battery sizing, and eco-driving assessment. Overall, this research contributes a robust, adaptable, and scalable framework that enhances operational efficiency, reduces environmental impact, and supports the broader deployment of sustainable E-Bus systems in global transit networks.