Alternative Fuel Vehicles

General Description:

Alternative Fuel Vehicles utilize fuels other than traditional forms (i.e. gasoline and diesel) for power.  They are typically larger bus-sized vehicles and create significantly less pollution than other forms of transit.  Predominant types of alternative fuels include biodiesel, propane, natural gas, electric, methanol, ethanol, and hydrogen.  

Effects of Solution:

þ     Increase Passenger Throughput (Transit vehicles improve throughput)

¨     Increase Roadway Capacity

¨     Manage System Efficiency

þ     Reduce Local Demand (Reduces number of vehicles on a facility)

Alternative Fuel Vehicles increase passenger throughput because they are often used as tram or transit options.  Using alternative vehicles as transit reduces the demand placed on facilities.

Examples of Implementation:

Electric Vehicles

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Donald W. Campbell, Superintendent, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Yellowstone National Park

Doug Madsen, Outdoor Recreation Officer, Planning Office, Yellowstone National Park

Electric Shuttle System

Cape Cod National Seashore

Maria Burks, Superintendent, Cape Cod National Seashore

Ben Pearson, Chief of Maintenance, Cape Cod National Seashore

Natural Gas-Powered Low-Floor Transit Buses

Grand Canyon National Park

Costs/Financial Information:

Costs will vary depending upon the size of vehicle, and alternative fuel used (compressed natural gas-CNG versus Biodiesel).  Additional costs may be needed to construct the infrastructure for the alternative fueling sites.

Additional Resources:

United States Department of State Alternative Fuel Vehicles web page:

http://www.state.gov/m/a/c8503.htm

Federal Transit Administration Alternative Fuels Information

United States Department of Energy Clean Cities Program
http://www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/