Alternative Fuel Trams for National Wildlife Refuges
An all-electric, open-air tram at the Pautuxent Research Refuge. (
Photo Courtesy Steve Noyes, USFWS)
As part of its mission to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people, the Department of the Interior's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is interested in expanding the use of low environmental impact and alternative fuel tram vehicles at some of its 550 national wildlife refuges. Leveraging funds made available through the Federal Transit Administration's Transit in the Parks (TRIP) program, USFWS headquarters, in coordination with its Region 5 office and the Patuxent Research Refuge in Maryland, asked the Volpe Center to conduct a technical and market study of hybrid, alternative fuel, and low environmental impact tram vehicles.
Since 1994, the Patuxent Research Refuge has successfully maintained and operated an all-electric open-air tram to provide interpretive tours. In addition to producing zero-emissions, some of the tram's characteristics that are attractive to staff at other refuges and federal lands include:
- Carry approximately 40 riders
- Operate at low noise levels
- Meet ADA-accessibility guidelines
- Ability to drive at slow speeds
- Provide short-haul service, yet be able to carry significant loads
- Operate on a variety of unpaved surfaces
- Can be stored for several months during off-seasons without degradation
- Have appropriate systems to host interpretive tours (PA systems, seating, lighting)
The study, which will incorporate both a technology assessment of existing products and a market assessment of potential procurements, began in September 2008. The technology assessment includes four major steps. First, develop "typical operating environments" that represent the varied regional conditions in which an USFWS tram would operate. Second, compile a catalog of suitable existing tram vehicles and components (propulsion systems, batteries, suspensions, chassis, etc.). Third, assess these products against one another in order to determine whether to proceed by procuring an existing vehicle, creating a customized vehicle from existing components, or developing a new, specialized vehicle suitable to the USFWS environment. Finally, develop "technical considerations" to guide the potential development of a new vehicle.
The market assessment will review the low-environmental impact tram vehicle needs of the other Federal Lands Management Agencies (FLMAs) and assess their current tram vehicle fleets as well as the future fleet plans. It will compile the FLMAs' desired low-environment impact vehicle characteristics and determine how best to meet their needs (procure existing vehicles, custom-build vehicles from existing components, or design a new vehicle). The market assessment will feature activities like telephone discussions, data analysis, and a Webinar during which field staff can share information and discuss their needs. Study findings and results will be available in summer 2009.
