Fleet Management
NIH continued to increase the number of transportation fleet vehicles relying on alternative fuels. NIH has reduced gas consumption 55 percent from 2005 to 2010. Additionally, we have increased our ethanol-gasoline fuel blend (E-85) consumption 225 percent from 2005 to 2010. Specifically, our 2010 Fleet Inventory included:
NIH also installed GPS technology on 200 NIH vehicles to track idle time for further reduction of petroleum based products. NIH also plans to purchase two Nissan Leafs, electric cars, for the NIH Motor Pool.
NIH offers a variety of commuting options in an effort to help ease traffic congestion, decrease pollution and fossil fuel use, and reduce the stress associated with the daily commute to and from work. These options include the Transhare Program, Ridefinders Network, bicycle amenities, and campus shuttles.
The NIH Shuttle Service includes:
Shuttle vans operating on the low-sulfur fuel and new buses.
Next Bus technology on and off campus to encourage shuttle use and avoid personal vehicle use for work-related meetings.
Shuttle services for special events.
Mid Pike and Campus Shuttle routes equipped with bicycle racks for employee that bike to work and ride the shuttles the remaining distance.
The location of the NIH Bethesda, campus provides numerous public transportation options for our employees to reduce the environmental impacts of commuting. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) operates Metrobus and Metrorail service to the Bethesda campus. Montgomery County Department of Transportation operates the Ride-On bus system, which provides service from Metrorail/Metrobus stations, including the on-campus Medical Center Station, to points throughout the county. Mass transit is further augmented by NIH shuttle buses that move people to and from designated onsite pickup locations and to off-campus locations.
There is also bicycle access to and around the NIH campus. A pedestrian and bicycle path along the south border of the campus connects neighborhoods on the west side to Rockville Pike and the Metrorail Station. NIH employees using bicycles to access the campus are able to enter the campus through several pedestrian/bicycle entrance gates as well as through vehicle entrance gates using their NIH identification and card keys. To encourage the use of bicycles, paths and routes are provided within the campus, and bicycle racks and lockers are provided for cyclists at the Medical Center Metrorail Station and at most major buildings. NIH has bicycle facilities capable of securing over 600 bicycles on the campus, including bicycle racks and lockers. Several buildings have showers and lockers for bicyclists. An active NIH Bicycle Commuter Club provides information and support to the NIH bicycling community.
The Fleet Management Branch of the Office of Logistics and Acquisitions Operations oversees the purchase, use, and maintenance and repair of NIH vehicles. Activities associated with the fleet management produce air emissions and consume fossil fuels. The NIH monitors and control air emissions from mobile sources and to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels through the purchase of alternative fueled vehicles. Approximately 35% of NIH's fleet of government vehicles uses ethanol and biodiesel produced from soybeans, resulting in NIH leading other HHS agencies in the percentage of government vehicles converted to alternative, renewable fuels.
If you would like more information about this program, please contact Mark Minnick
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