Our Team

Project Partners:

Municipalities:

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is the largest municipality in the province hosting a fleet of over 1500 vehicles. For the Fleetwiser Pilot Project, a sample fleet of public works trucks and commuter vehicles have been selected. Each vehicle is equipped with GPS tracking for mileage and idling time, and fuel consumption is measured via fuel card system. Fleet managers and supervisors received NRCan Fuel Management 101 training in March 2010 and driver training is scheduled for the fall. Anti-idling window-cling decals will be posted on fleet vehicles and idle-free signage will be displayed around town buildings and vehicle depots. HRM recently invested in hybrid articulated buses and began its Smart Trips commuter fleet employing compact Smart cars for travel in the city.

Town of Lunenburg fleet managers and operators from the Electric Utility, Fire Department, and Public Works continue to receive free consultation, training and resources to produce efficiency improvements. Lunenburg hosted a Fuel Management 101 workshop on May 21, 2010. Local fleet personnel and guests from Wolfville strategized on fuel management solutions for their municipal fleets. Action plans are now being implemented; an information session on engine idle reduction and driving with efficiency in mind – and practice, was held on July 21. Fleet operators learned and discussed the issues around engine idling, including its contribution to climate change, health and environmental concerns.

The Town of Lunenburg is committed to reducing their environmental footprint and now has “CUT the Engine CURB Emissions” window-cling decals to be posted on the Town’s fleet vehicles. Idle-free signage will also be posted around town buildings. Other immediate actions for Lunenburg include updating operating policies and practices, such as preventive maintenance, route planning, tire pressure management, and NRCan Smart Driver training. Long-term options involve green procurement: investment in GPS, hybrid, and idle reduction technologies, vehicle right-sizing, and a local car sharing network.

Town of New Glasgow operates a fleet of over 45 vehicles among their transportation, public works, water, and police departments. Baseline data has been compiled for all vehicles and action plans have begun. Fuel Management 101 training will be delivered to fleet managers in September 2010 and driver training sessions will begin in October. Idle reduction will be a major action item, “CUT the Engine CURB Emissions” window-cling decals will be posted on all vehicles and Idle-free signage will be posted around Town buildings and vehicle depots. The Town recently purchased a new snow plow truck with driver controls on both sides for improved visibility, safety, and fuel efficiency around street corners. The fleet is also in the process of converting all vehicles to LED lights to reduce battery drainage and the need to idle at job sites. Synthetic motor oils are also of interest to reduce waste oil and improve fuel economy.

Town of Wolfville is putting plans into action; fleet managers and technicians completed Fuel Management 101 training in May 2010. The fleet keeps accurate records of fuel, mileage, and hours of operation for each vehicle. The data shows that two fleet vans, a utility van and a passenger van, spend most of the time parked. The town will be switching to a utility trailer and is considering a more fuel efficient vehicle, perhaps a hybrid, to replace the passenger van. The fleet is also seeking ways to share vehicles among departments according to seasonal need, and to invest in new vehicles that are capable of doing multiple jobs. Wolfville has a Standard Operating Procedure for anti-idling and is taking advantage of “CUT the Engine CURB Emissions” window-cling decals for their vehicles and idle-free signage for the town. Driver training sessions will be delivered to fleet operators beginning September 2010.

Utility:

Nova Scotia Power Inc. the largest electric utility in NS, operates over 200 vehicles, most of which are heavy duty diesel bucket lift/line trucks. A sample of 25 vehicles have been selected for the pilot project including two Ford Escape hybrid SUVs and Ford pick-ups used for door-to-door meter reading services. The selected vehicles operate within three different regions throughout the province where customer volume, weather conditions, and geographical terrain vary significantly. Senior management and regional supervisors have been briefed on the Fleetwiser Pilot Project and a Fuel Management 101 workshop was delivered to managers in March 2010. NSPI vehicles are equipped with GPS and fuel is tracked using a card system for each vehicle. The company has a vehicle and anti-idling policy; operator knowledge and practice of the policy and the effects of idling will be evaluated during the pilot project.

**NSPI has also submitted an application to procure a Hybrid Bucket truck. Once the vehicle is online, mileage, idling time, and fuel data will be compared with the sample fleet and general core lift trucks. Other short-term goals for the NSPI fleet include driver training, an anti-idling campaign, route planning, and tire pressure management. Cab heaters may be piloted in line trucks during winter 2010-2011.