Go Green Go HRT

HRT Cares about a greener, more livable Hampton Roads… ride more, drive less!

What is Sustainability?

Sustainability to HRT is about making Hampton Roads a more livable community today and into the future; by providing accessible, efficient, and environmentally friendly public transportation services; and operating our vehicles and facilities according to policies and procedures that promote pollution prevention, climate protection, and energy and resource conservation.

What is HRT doing to go green?

Go Green Initiatives

Pitch Green
- a recycling program at all HRT facilities that includes both paper-only and co-mingled materials (plastic, glass, and aluminum)
Print Green
- a printer/copier policy for duplex (2-sided) non-color printing, electronic document exchange, and all 30% post consumer recycled paper
Drink Green
- a no water bottles or Styrofoam cups policy to encourage the use of reusable drinking cups among employees
Switch Green
- an energy reduction program for shutting down computers during non-working hours, switching off lights in conference rooms and offices when unoccupied, and installing motion detectors and timers in restrooms

Hybrid Vehicles & Clean Fuel

In September 2006, HRT began switching all diesel buses in the fleet to ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel (ULSD). ULSD has 90 percent less sulfur than traditional diesel fuel resulting in significantly reduced emissions. In addition, HRT has accumulated a fleet of 26 hybrid diesel-electric buses, with more to come. These hybrid buses emit around 95 percent less particle matter (PM, or soot) than the buses they replace, they produce 40% less oxides of nitrogen (NOx, or ozone), and they reduce greenhouse gases by approximately 30%. Not to mention, they can improve fuel efficiency by up to 30% per bus. HRT is committed to continuing the expansion of its hybrid fleet, to eventually include a Vehicle Replacement with Hybrids Program for its other service (both revenue and non-revenue) vehicles. To learn more about HRT’s hybrid bus fleet, along with the new light rail line “The Tide” that is scheduled to begin service in 2011

Energy Reduction Lighting Program at the Headquarters Facility Bus Maintenance Shop

  • Removed 16 unnecessary 250 watt light fixtures that were powered on 24/7/365
  • Retrofitted 23 two-lamp, 32 watt fluorescent fixtures from T12 bulbs to T8 bulbs
  • Installed targeted, high efficiency fluorescent walkway lighting with timers so that the main lighting (400 watt bulbs) in certain areas could be powered off during non-working hours instead of being powered on 24/7/365

American Public Transit Association (APTA) Sustainability Commitment

In January 2009, HRT became the first American transit agency to sign this Commitment. Signatories are responsible for measuring and communicating the results of their committed actions items, reductions targets, and long term goals toward achieving economic, environmental, and social sustainability objectives. Click here to read about the 2009 Pilot of APTA Sustainability Commitment

International Association of Public Transport (UITP) Charter on Sustainable Development

In July 2005, HRT became one of the first few Pledge Signatories from the United States to sign this international charter. Signing the charter was a voluntary, but measurable commitment to monitoring, measuring, and reporting on HRT’s performance in the area of sustainable development. Its purpose is to help increase environmental awareness by providing transportation that is environmentally responsible, while encouraging conservation and the protection of natural resources. Click here to read about Sustainable Development

Environmental Management System (EMS)

In July 2008 HRT set out to develop an agency wide EMS for managing its environmental program based on the ISO 14001:2004 standards. In May 2009 HRT began implementing the new EMS, which included the following.

  • The Environmental Policy (HRT Environmental Policy 02-23-09 PDF) – this document was approved by senior management, and lays out the agency’s commitment to maintaining the EMS
  • EMS objectives and targets to address the significant environmental aspects (2009)
    • Prevent future releases from HRT’s underground storage tanks (USTs) – achieve 100% DEQ/EPA compliance on all USTs by March 31, 201
    • Reduce HRT’s greenhouse gas (GHG)/carbon emissions footprint – Reduce the per capita emission rate on the bus/revenue vehicle fleet by 10% by June 30, 2010
    • Reduce HRT’s overall energy consumption – Reduce average electricity usage among all facilities by 15% by March 31, 2010
  • EMS operational controls / SOPs
    • UST Monitoring
    • Petroleum & Hazardous Materials Spill/Release Response
    • Bus Idling
    • Preventative Bus Maintenance
    • Energy-Electricity Management
    • Facility Lighting Replacement
    • HVAC Settings and Control
  • EMS employee training and contractor / consultant awareness

For more information on HRT’s EMS, contact sdemharter@hrtransit.org Director of Energy Management and Sustainability.

To act on its policy commitments, HRT intends to use the EMS structure to embed sustainable practices into the agency’s daily activities and services, and to continue monitoring, maintaining, and measuring the EMS’s effectiveness in helping to achieve a greener, more sustainable community. HRT incorporates sustainability through the following applications:

  • Green Building and Design – incorporating “green” building practices into capital project design guidelines to achieve LEED certification new Southside Facility Project
  • Green Purchasing – identifying “green” products and vendors that meet environmentally friendly crite
  • Pollution Prevention and Recycling – reducing, reusing, and recycling waste
  • Pollution Prevention and Recycling – reducing, reusing, and recycling waste • Climate Change – building high capacity transit facilities and services to reduce reliance on the single occupancy vehicle (TRAFFIX); purchasing hybrid buses and service vehicles for revenue and non-revenue fleet
  • Energy Efficiency – implementing ways to conserve energy and contribute to the viability of renewable energy sources

Green Transportation and Why Public Transit?

Public Transportation…

  • Is estimated to reduce CO2 emissions by 37 million metric tons annually, equivalent to the electricity used by 4.9 million households. To achieve a similar reduction in carbon emissions, every household in New York City, Washington DC, Atlanta, Denver, and Los Angeles combined would have to completely stop using electricity.
  • Provides an immediate option individuals can take to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and conserve energy. In fact, the most energy efficient households in America that produce the least amount of carbon are located within close proximity of a bus or rail line. Households near public transit drive an average of 4,400 fewer miles annually compared to those with no access to public transit.
  • Saves fuel, reduces an individual’s carbon footprint, and reduces congestion. Households near public transit travel 12 fewer miles per day, or 27% less, than households with no access to public transit. This equates to an individual household reduction of 223 gallons of gasoline per year.
  • Use by a solo commuter switching his/her commute from a private vehicle can reduce CO2 emission by 20 pounds per day, or more than 4,800 pounds in a year.
  • Use saves the U.S. the equivalent of 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline annually, or more than 11 million gallons of gasoline per day.
  • Provides an affordable alternative to driving. Households that use public transit save an average of $6,251 every year.
  • Ridership has increased 30% since 1995, with more than 10 billion trips taken annually.
  • Is a national priority that should be specifically targeted by climate change and energy legislation – everyone has a stake in expanding public transportation availability, accessibility, and use!

Did you know?

Taking public transportation instead of your personal vehicle is one of the most effective actions an individual can take to save money and reduce their carbon footprint without reducing their mobility. The benefits of switching to public transportation greatly exceeds those from other household energy saving measures, such as switching to energy efficient light bulbs, replacing inefficient appliances, or adjusting thermostats.

Example

For an average household owning 2 vehicles, the following is probably true:

  • Ave. daily round-trip commute per household: 40 miles
  • Ave. annual carbon emissions per household: 4.8 tons (9,600 pounds)
  • Ave. annual vehicle expenses per household*: $16,000

* Including gas, insurance, maintenance, parking, registration, depreciation, etc.

If your household makes $57,122 per year, which is the 2008 median household income for Hampton Roads, you are working nearly 4 months out of every year just to pay for your transportation! Try minimizing or even eliminating the use of just one household vehicle, and not only reduce your carbon footprint, but also put some of that hard earned money back into your pocket book!

Green Resources