Best Practice Action 13.1
GreenStep City Best Practices: Transportation
Efficient City Fleets No. 13
Implement a city fleet investment, operations and maintenance plan.
Best Practice Action Detail
Best Practice Action 1
Efficiently use your existing fleet of city vehicles by encouraging trip bundling, video conferencing, carpooling, vehicle sharing and incentives/technology.
- Find resources for fleet managers from the EPA Vehicle Technologies Office, including tools and programs.
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Provide training and systems for employees to facilitate one or more of trip bundling, car pooling, vehicle sharing and the like. Report vehicle reductions under BPA 13.2. |
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Install and use video conferencing equipment, automatic vehicle locator technology and the like. |
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Report more work being done with existing fleet; report total fleet VMT reductions year over year; implement an employee incentive program for reducing city vehicle use. |
Who's doing it
Fergus Falls - 2 star
Date action report first entered:
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Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City of Fergus Falls has a Fleet and Facilities Manager. The fleet is inventoried and evaluated often. Employees are encouraged to bundle trips throughout the work day. The city utilizes webinar and teleconference options whenever possible to avoid unnecessary travel. If multiple employees attend a conference, they are encouraged to carpool. There is a fleet of four vehicles available for employee and councils to check out on a daily basis.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
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For more information contact:
Len Taylor (City Staff) | len.taylor@fergusfallsmn.gov | 218-332-5418
Partners:
Golden Valley - 2 star
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2023
Implementation details:
In the past year, the City of Golden Valley has upgraded conference room technology at City Hall to enhance accessibility to webinars and video conferences, and enable seamless collaboration between remote teams. The City's expansion of flexible work arrangements (FWAs) for employees also allows telework and working outside of core business hours, such as a 40-hour workweek condensed into fewer than five workdays. These policy changes, along with the transition to workstations more conducive to telework (laptops and phones), reduce energy consumption and emissions by staff. The City also has a no-idling policy for fleet vehicles to reduce emissions. The first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle has been purchased for the city fleet, but delivery of the vehicle is not expected until later 2024 or 2025.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
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For more information contact:
Marshall Beugen (City staff) | mbeugen@goldenvalleymn.gov | 763-593-8085
Partners:
Hutchinson - 2 star
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2021
Implementation details:
The City of Hutchinson's vehicle fleet is inventoried and inspected annually. The function and quality of the fleet is monitored to know if there is a need for a replacement. The newer fleet vehicles that are replaced provide for fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. The city employees carpool to conferences and training events to reduce emissions and gas usage. As well as the installation of video conferencing equipment throughout city facilities.
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For more information contact:
John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Partners:
Isanti - 2 star
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All City employees car pool to trainings/meetings and also share vehicles for day to day operations. Live video streaming of meetings or training is used frequently to cut down on travel.
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For more information contact:
Matt Sylvester (City staff) | msylvester@cityofisanti.us | 763-444-5512
Partners:
Lexington - 2 star
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2022
Implementation details:
City staff has implemented video conferencing to reduce the use of vehicles traveling to and from meetings. Staff also carpools when able to attend off site meetings .
The City provides online and cable channel coverage of council meetings to allow people to view those meetings with out having o travel to city hall, thus reducing gas & emissions.
The City provides online and cable channel coverage of council meetings to allow people to view those meetings with out having o travel to city hall, thus reducing gas & emissions.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
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For more information contact:
Brenda Beaudet (City Staff) | brenda.beaudet@cityoflexingtonmn.org | 763-784-2792
Partners:
Maplewood - 2 star
Date action report first entered:
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Implementation details:
Maplewood has taken steps to decrease use of city vehicles by developing a vehicle sharing policy between the departments as written in the sustainability purchasing policy 4.2.9.
They also have an equipment sharing program between the different departments.
In early 2014 the city department installed fleet telemetry units in all marked cars. These units provide global positioning system (GPS) information that will help the city develop policies that maximize driver safety and improve overall monitoring of the police fleet. Also provides a police operations benefit by ensuring that patrol resources are deployed to areas with need to the greatest benefit for the community. These units allows for greater monitoring of fuel consumption and vehicle idling, which cuts down on the amount of waste CO2 and lowers fuel costs.
They also have an equipment sharing program between the different departments.
In early 2014 the city department installed fleet telemetry units in all marked cars. These units provide global positioning system (GPS) information that will help the city develop policies that maximize driver safety and improve overall monitoring of the police fleet. Also provides a police operations benefit by ensuring that patrol resources are deployed to areas with need to the greatest benefit for the community. These units allows for greater monitoring of fuel consumption and vehicle idling, which cuts down on the amount of waste CO2 and lowers fuel costs.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Through the implementation and more effective car pooling planning and vehicle sharing the city has downsized their fleet by 3 vehicles and will be downsizing by 1 this year.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: http://mn-maplewood.civicplus.com/DocumentView.aspx?DID=2377
For more information contact:
Scott Schultz (City Staff) | scott.schultz@maplewoodmn.gov | (651) 249-2430
Partners:
New Brighton - 2 star
Date action report first entered:
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Implementation details:
The City of New Brighton’s fleet is inventoried and evaluated annually by the Public Works Superintendent. Vehicles and equipment have a useful life and when that time nears, a vehicle condition index system will confirm if it is truly in need of replacement. This in turn provides for new equipment that is fuel efficient and produces less emissions. City staff car pools to training events and conferences reducing fuel use and emissions.
Water distribution operators work load is organized into an efficient route. This reduces fuel usage and emissions output.
The City recently purchased fueling and fleet software that will advise the fleet maintenance staff when vehicle service is required. A properly serviced vehicle will tend to achieve better gas mileage and produce less emissions.
Water distribution operators work load is organized into an efficient route. This reduces fuel usage and emissions output.
The City recently purchased fueling and fleet software that will advise the fleet maintenance staff when vehicle service is required. A properly serviced vehicle will tend to achieve better gas mileage and produce less emissions.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
A properly maintained fleet along with active car pooling and conference calls creates fewer emissions, and unnecessary wear and tear on vehicles.
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For more information contact:
Craig Schlichting (City staff) | craig.schlichting@newbrightonmn.gov | 651-638-2056
Partners:
New Hope - 2 star
Date action report first entered:
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Implementation details:
According to the city's Public Works Director, the city's plow trucks use vehicle tracking systems to evaluate fuel and salt usage. City staff carpools to meetings whenever possible.
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For more information contact:
Jeff Alger (City Staff) | jalger@newhopemn.gov | 763-531-5119
Partners:
New Prague - 2 star
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2020
Implementation details:
Over the last couple years, the City has upgraded its technology to allow for video conferencing. It has also continued to utilize and share pool vehicles between departments to minimize the number of cars needed.
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For more information contact:
Joshua Tetzlaff (City Staff) | jtetzlaff@ci.new-prague.mn.us | 952.758.4401
Partners:
Richfield - 2 star
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The City has automatic vehicle locator (AVL) technology on 85% of the fleet. It is also used to track and economize salt application rates on trucks. The City has video conferencing equipment at City Hall and in the Public Works Facility. Common practice to carpool to meetings.
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For more information contact:
Chris Link (City staff) | clink@richfieldmn.gov | 6128619174
Partners:
Coon Rapids - 1 star
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2020
Implementation details:
With the advent of COVID in 2020, many City staff began working from home and hosting and attending meetings virtually. City Council and various Commission meetings are now available to the public for online streaming and virtual participation, reducing vehicle trips to city hall.
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For more information contact:
Olivia Dorow Hovland (City Staff) | odorowhovland@coonrapidsmn.gov | 763-767-6458
Partners:
Eagan - 1 star
Date action report first entered:
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Implementation details:
Eagan has downsized the type of vehicles used in various fleets. Eagan's first fire response now has more efficient vehicles by replacing the 12MPG Ford Explorers with the 21MPG Ford Escapes. Two hybrid vehicles, the 30+MPG Ford Fusions, are utilized for administrative purposes to replace the old 20MPG Impalas. Eagan has replaced a street maintenance vehicle with a seasonal worker riding a bike for boulevard maintenance. Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL) program to increase patrol efficiency during snow emergencies.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Eagan's first fire response is now more efficient replacing the 12MPG Ford Explorers with the 21MPG Ford Escapes.
Two hybrid vehicles, the 30+MPG Ford Fusions, are utilized for administrative purposes to replace the old 20MPG Impalas
Two hybrid vehicles, the 30+MPG Ford Fusions, are utilized for administrative purposes to replace the old 20MPG Impalas
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For more information contact:
Jared Flewellen (City Staff) | jflewellen@cityofeagan.com | (651) 675-5505
Partners:
Edina - 1 star
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2021
Implementation details:
As part of the City's Fleet Purchasing Policy, Phase 2 'Assessing Vehicle Needs' includes a 2021 pilot study and policy in which municipal vehicles that are used less than 3,000 miles a year and less than 50% of the time (20 hours a week) by a single user will be transitioned to City-wide pool vehicles. Additionally, vehicles used between 3,000 and 5,000 miles a year and less than 75% of the time (30 hours a week) will be transitioned to Department or Division pool vehicles. Lastly, as part of this Policy, City-wide pool vehicles will be available for anyone requiring a car for official use.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
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For more information contact:
Grace Hancock (City Staff) | ghancock@edinamn.gov | (952)826-1621
Partners:
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe - 1 star
Date action report first entered:
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Palace Casino transport offers transportation for employees and Tribal members. Employees are also encouraged to coordinate with Fleet management to trip bundle, carpool and share vehicles for travel.
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For more information contact:
Brandy Toft (City staff) | air@lldrm.org | 218-335-7429
Partners:
Prairie Island Indian Community - 1 star
Date action report first entered:
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Year action initially completed: 2004
Implementation details:
Prairie Island Indian Community has a fleet of vehicles available for employee uses and are encouraged to trip bundle and carpool for travel and events.
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For more information contact:
Leya Charles (City Staff) | Leya.Charles@piic.org | 6513854115
Partners:
Red Wing - 1 star
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We use pool cars that are size appropriate quite regularly. When we have intra-city mail from Public Works to City Hall and vice versa, our meter reader takes care of that while he is already out and about to prevent an extra trip for someone else and to rely less on US Mail.
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For more information contact:
Paul Drotos (City staff) | paul.drotos@ci.red-wing.mn.us | 651-410-6744
Partners:
Saint Anthony - 1 star
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Implementation details:
The City of St. Anthony participates in video conferencing for training City staff.
Hennepin County contracts with the City to maintain County facilities reducing the overall number of vehicle trips for large maintenance vehicles.
Hennepin County contracts with the City to maintain County facilities reducing the overall number of vehicle trips for large maintenance vehicles.
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For more information contact:
Jay Hartman (City staff) | jay.hartman@ci.saint-anthony.mn.us | 612-782-3314
Partners:
Saint Paul - 1 star
Date action report first entered:
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Implementation details:
The City currently has electric and alternative fueled units now that are used in various ways, including staff usage for city-approved work-related trips. The City remains open to expanding the use of alternative fuel vehicles if the units meet the operational need. The City’s Municipal Equipment Division continually looks for and researches the best fuel and drive system for all equipment types, including ethanol, biodiesel and electric.
The City also works with St. Paul Smart Trips to encourage employees carpooling to work or taking mass transit. Incentives, such as a discount parking passes, are provided for carpoolers.
The City also works with St. Paul Smart Trips to encourage employees carpooling to work or taking mass transit. Incentives, such as a discount parking passes, are provided for carpoolers.
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Partners:
Two Harbors - 1 star
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2020
Implementation details:
The City of Two Harbors will be adopting a shared vehicle program. The main directive of the program is to ensure that city vehicles are being utilized to the fullest, to reduce the probability of expanding the fleet in the future, unless absolutely necessary.
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For more information contact:
Jennifer Sterbenz (City Staff) | jsterbenz@twoharborsmn.gov | 218-834-8804
Partners:
Warren - 1 star
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2011
Implementation details:
1 Star
- Warren schedules its employees for training/conferences in a way that at least two individuals are traveling together to reduce operating costs of vehicles.
- Warren schedules its employees for training/conferences in a way that at least two individuals are traveling together to reduce operating costs of vehicles.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Shannon Mortenson (City staff) | shannonm@warrenminnesota.com | 218-745-5343
Partners:
Woodbury - 1 star
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City revised and adopted its Shared Vehicle Program (AD-ADMIN-1.13) in September 2012. The main directives of the program are to ensure that city vehicles are being utilized to the fullest, to reduce the probability of expanding the fleet in the future, unless absolutely necessary.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
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For more information contact:
Jennifer McLoughlin (City staff) | jmcloughlin@ci.woodbury.mn.us | 651-714-3522
Partners:
Lake City - Pending
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: Ongoing
Implementation details:
The City of Lake City is committed to maximizing the efficiency of its existing fleet of vehicles. To reduce the number of trips and minimize fuel consumption, the City encourages trip bundling and promotes carpooling among staff when appropriate. Additionally, the City utilizes video conferencing for meetings whenever possible, which reduces the need for travel and further decreases the environmental impact associated with fleet use.
By incorporating these strategies and leveraging technology, the City is able to make more efficient use of its vehicles, reduce operational costs, and contribute to sustainability goals.
By incorporating these strategies and leveraging technology, the City is able to make more efficient use of its vehicles, reduce operational costs, and contribute to sustainability goals.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
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For more information contact:
Amanda Jackson (City Staff) | ajackson@ci.lake-city.mn.us | 1-651-345-4711
Partners:
Greenstep Advisor
Evan Pak, Emissions Reduction Specialist, MN Pollution Control Agency: 651-757-2816, evan.pak@state.mn.us