The goal of this project is to provide transportation agencies who operate heavy-duty fleets in support of winter highway maintenance with research on fleet electrification and alternative fuel options. Research will cover the challenges of transitioning to a green fleet including engine and component power, torque, and durability, infrastructure and staffing support, energy resources and availability, and operating conditions.
The project team compiled a current profile of the winter operations fleet and conducted interviews with the 13 DOTs who agreed to participate in the study. These organizations shared their limited experience with alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). Due to negligible use of AFVs, interviews focused on best practice areas that will support the future use of alternative fuels. Barriers to AFV adoption and the conditions for a successful transition were also explored.
Significant fuel shifts in society are rare but lessons from the shift to diesel, propane and natural gas were reviewed to determine their relevance for the future shift to electricity. The importance of infrastructure in successful fuel transitions was recognized.
The project team also looked outside the participating DOTs to other levels of government experimenting with AFVs. From these interviews additional information on biodiesel and renewable options were recorded and compared.
Finally, the team interviewed vehicle and fuel system manufacturers to learn about existing and emerging AFV and fueling options. The research, findings and recommendations are summarized in a synthesis report.
