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3 STUDY METHODOLOGY This synthesis is based on a literature review, a survey of tran- sit agencies, and four follow-up interviews with selected agen- cies, which were used to develop case examples. The literature review covered a broad range of publication types and sources, including national-level reports from TRB, APTA, and FTA, as well as academic papers, Department of Energy analyses of par- ticular technologies, awards from recent federal grant programs, and transit agency reports on sustainability and energy use. The survey for this report was conducted in January and February 2012 and was distributed to 74 transit agencies across the United States, as well as to one Canadian agency. It was administered online and distributed by e-mail. Prior to dis- tribution, members of the TCRP synthesis panel tested the survey and it was updated to reflect their comments. Appen- dix A contains the full text of the survey. Survey recipients were selected based on panel member suggestions and on the consultantâs knowledge of transit agencies that are active in this field. The transit agencies that responded varied widely in terms of agency size, geographic location, and type of transit services that they provided. The survey was sent to one contact at each agency. Con- tacts generally represented environmental departments, depart- ments of operations and maintenance, or agency management. Recipients were asked to supply the appropriate agency contact if they were not the correct individual to complete the survey. Agencies that did not initially respond received a follow- up e-mail and a follow-up phone call. In total, 51 agencies responded to the survey, a 69% response rate. Some agencies submitted responses that had been completed with input from multiple individuals or departments, whereas others submitted responses from a single person. It should be noted that the survey likely overrepresents agencies with active energy-savings programs, because these agencies were targeted as survey recipients. Also, agencies with energy-savings programs were probably more inclined to com- plete the survey than agencies with little activity to report. Nev- ertheless, the survey and the large number of responses present an overall picture of the emerging energy-saving technologies and strategies used in the transit industry. Appendix B contains a complete list of survey respondents. Figure 1 shows the loca- tion and size of the agencies that responded to the survey. SYNTHESIS PURPOSE Rising energy prices, budget constraints, and concerns about energy independence, sustainability, and climate change have put pressure on all sectors of the economy to use energy as efficiently as possible. This is particularly true in the trans- portation sector, which accounts for approximately 28% of U.S. energy consumption (1). Frequent, unpredictable fluc- tuations in gasoline prices have compelled individuals, busi- nesses, and transportation agencies to conserve fuel in order to both save money in the short term and stabilize costs in the long term. Individuals often seek to save money on fuel and reduce environmental impacts by taking transit instead of driving. It takes significant amounts of energy to construct, operate, and maintain transit systems; therefore, the degree to which this shift yields a net reduction in energy use and fuel costs depends on how efficient transit systems are. From a tran- sit agencyâs perspective, using energy more efficiently not only lowers costs, but also enhances service and draws more users, increasing overall system efficiency as well as improv- ing public perception. This synthesis provides information for transit agencies on the role that energy plays in all aspects of transit service, the strategies that are available to reduce energy consump- tion, the potential magnitude of those reductions, and how to strategically plan and implement energy-saving measures. Although some transit agencies may have sustainability or greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals that explicitly call for reducing energy use, other agencies may be interested solely in spending less on fueling vehicles and on operating maintenance facilities, transit stations, and office buildings. This latter set of concerns is ever more important as agency budgets become more constrained and transit agencies strive to avoid service cuts or fare increases. This report draws on existing research and transit agency experience to provide a comprehensive look at energy-saving strategies related to vehicle propulsion, system maintenance, powering stations or stops, and administrative vehicles and buildings. Some of these strategies are specific to transit agen- cies, whereas others, particularly those related to administrative vehicles and buildings, draw on more general best practices in green building and energy efficiency. chapter one INTRODUCTION
4 The survey asked transit agencies to describe which energy- saving strategies they used, the extent to which each strategy had been successful, and any data that could be used to measure the impacts of strategies. In addition, the survey asked agen- cies about their strategic planning process in identifying and executing energy-saving strategies, challenges encountered in implementing these strategies, and motivations for select- ing particular strategies. The survey covered a broad range of topics, and some contacts were not fully knowledgeable about every aspect of their agencyâs energy-saving activities; there- fore, it is possible that some agencies are engaged in activities that they did not report. Where survey contacts suggested other staff members for possible follow-up, these staff members were contacted and asked for additional information. Four agencies that completed the survey were selected for interviews to develop case examples of how specific tran- sit agencies deploy and manage energy-saving strategies: the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: King County Metro Transit Authority (King County Metro) in Seattle, Washing- ton; Foothill Transit in Californiaâs San Gabriel Valley; and 9 Town Transit (9TT) in the Connecticut River Estuary region. They were selected to represent a range of sizes, locations, and organizational structures. Each of the four case examples incorporated a review of any available agency documentation about sustainability or energy savings and an approximate hour-long phone interview. ORGANIZATION OF SYNTHESIS The synthesis report is divided into the following chapters: ⢠Chapter twoâintroduces information and key concepts related to how transit agencies use energy, including the impacts of transit on the general publicâs energy consumption. ⢠Chapter threeâdiscusses how transit agencies plan for, implement, and finance energy-saving strategies. It addresses some of the common barriers that transit agen- cies face in implementing these strategies and identifies creative ways of overcoming them. ⢠Chapter fourâdescribes seven categories of actions that transit agencies can take to save energy based on the literature review and survey of agencies, and provides information about the energy savings and costs of actions where available. ⢠Chapter fiveâpresents case examples of four transit agencies that are developing and implementing strate- gies to save energy. ⢠Chapter sixâprovides conclusions and suggestions for further research. Case Example: King County Metro Transit, Seattle, WA Case Example: Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, Philadelphia, PA Case Example: 9 Town Transit, Estuary Region, CT Case Example: Foothill Transit, West Covina, CA FIGURE 1 Location and size of transit agencies responding to the survey.
