Nashville Int’l Transitions Shuttle Bus Fleet to Compressed Natural Gas

Author: 
Jennifer Bradley
Published in: 
May-June
2018

With its 10-year shuttle bus agreement nearing expiration a couple years ago, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority seized the opportunity to investigate alternative fuel options for Nashville International Airport (BNA). 

The research was well worth it, as BNA has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions associated with shuttle operations while maintaining the same hourly cost for labor, operation and maintenance. The game-changer was a fleet of 28 new buses that run on compressed natural gas (CNG) and a $1.9 million facility to fuel them. 

Christine Vitt, vice president of Strategic Planning and Sustainability for the airport authority, is extremely pleased with the results of the new system’s first year in operation. The project team was hoping to lower bus operating costs to $1.79 per gasoline gallon equivalent, but instead achieved $1.62. 

facts&figures

Project: Converting Shuttle Operations to Compressed Natural Gas 

Location: Nashville Int’l Airport

Major Components: 28 new CNG passenger buses; CNG fueling station

Shuttle Vehicles: 8 Ford StarCrafts; 17 Eldorados; 3 Arbocs

Fleet Owner/Operator/Maintenance
Provider:
ABM Aviation

Vehicle Distributor: Alliance Bus Group

Cost of Fueling Station: $1.9 million

Facility Design, Construction, Operation & Maintenance: Clean Energy Fuels

Initial Results: Reduced greenhouse gas emissions; bus operation costs of $1.62/gasoline gallon equivalent

Project Consultant: Greener Business Solutions

Fleet Debut: Early Jan. 2017

Fuel Station Opened: April 2017

Accolade: 2017 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award from TN Dept. of Environment
& Conservation 

“Once we started down that road and looked at the package, it seemed to be very beneficial for the environmental improvements as well as reduction in our overall cost of fuel, for the next seven to 10 years,” comments Vitt. “We were confident the CNG market was stable here, so it became an easy decision to make.” 

The decision also led to formal recognition from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. The airport authority received a 2017 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award for its ongoing commitment to sustainability, including its recent deployment of CNG vehicles. 

Weighing the Options 

“They’re really on the cutting edge of sustainability practices,” says Wendy Schugar-Martin, owner of Greener Business Solutions and consultant on BNA’s alternative fuel project. “The airport has really shown dedication to the environment and creating a more sustainable future.” 

The airport authority had already decided to convert its entire shuttle fleet and build a fueling facility, but needed help figuring out fueling specifics, vehicle maintenance logistics and other details, she explains.  

Schugar-Martin, who previously worked as a corporate attorney on environmental projects, encourages other airports thinking about a switch to consider several factors. First, what is the alternative fuel source going to be? BNA had already selected CNG, but her firm helps other clients decide based on the environment vehicles will travel in, what fuels are locally available or routable, and, of course, cost. 

“Not all airports may have access to natural gas,” she explains, noting that BNA was fortunate to be very close to a main CNG line of Piedmont Natural Gas. As importantly, the size and pressure of the nearby gas line was able to support the facility, adds Vitt. 

Another major factor for airports to consider is whether existing infrastructure can be used to distribute the new energy source, or new facilities should be built. Then, airport management must decide if the fueling center will be open to the public or used only by its in-house fleet. “These are the very high-level topics,” advises Schugar-Martin. “But once you start to dig into them, you need somebody to ask the vital questions so you understand and implement the right solution.” 

Finally, she recommends considering the logistics involved with storing and maintaining alternative fuel vehicles. Does the existing maintenance building meet specific codes for housing or repairing CNG shuttles? (BNA needed to renovate its facility.) Does the exhaust system in the maintenance facility need to be upgraded? Who will train vehicle mechanics? How will equipment be implemented? 

“As you see, the process can be very complex,” she says, noting that these are just a few examples of issues that need to be explored. 

Timing Takes Patience 

Vitt says she was glad to have Schugar-Martin as a project consultant, but the airport authority also needed a company to design, build, operate and maintain the fueling facility. Ultimately, it awarded a seven-year operation/maintenance contract with three one-year extensions to Clean Energy Fuels. 

J. Russell Wharton, the company’s senior project manager, explains that the project also included designated duty engineer requirements, so his team got involved in coordinating construction work and selecting the general contractor. Because Wharton lives just south of Nashville and had more than 20 years’ experience with local codes and permitting requirements, he personally led the permitting, engineering and construction components of the project. 

Permitting was a particular challenge that took four months rather than the six to eight weeks as anticipated. “Nashville is a rapidly growing city, so we had some permitting challenges because we were one of very many construction projects going through the review and approval process,” Wharton explains. 

Despite unavoidable bureaucratic delays, Clean Energy kept the construction schedule moving by “finding ways to stick a square peg into a round hole,” says Schugar-Martin. “They really have the expertise to address some of the specific challenges for alternative fuel projects. 

“The airport did a great job of essentially going with the flow,” she adds. “Even when a challenge arose, they were quick to say that they could work within the new framework.” 

Given the teamwork, BNA’s new fueling station opened in April 2017. The new buses, however, were delivered in November 2016, and up and running during the first week of January 2017. 

In the months between, the shuttles fueled up at a nearby station. Schugar-Martin counsels clients to develop relationships with other local CNG sources so they can continue to operate 24/7 even if challenges arise.  

The cleaner-burning, quieter shuttle buses were an instant hit. “You don’t see black soot coming out of the exhaust anymore,” Vitt reports. “It just makes for a more comfortable passenger experience. The customers love them, and they are great for our environment.”

Doug Dunn, chairman and chief executive officer of Alliance Bus Group, notes that the airport authority was involved in every part of the vehicle specification and design process, so the CNG-fueled buses were built specifically for BNA. They have no steps, are compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act and include television monitors for updated news feeds, as well as security camera systems.  

Maintenance crews from fleet owner/operator ABM Aviation also like the new vehicles, because they don’t include exhaust filters that require frequent changing. 

“ABM is always excited to partner with our airport and airline clients to create a greener, healthier environment,” says Kevin Warrenton, general manager for Nashville International Airport, ABM Aviation. “We provide clients around the world everything from environmentally friendly janitorial and maintenance services to energy efficiency improvements and sustainable facilities.”

More CNG at BNA

Wharton notes that the airport had a clear vision for its CNG station and wanted multiple options for future expandability. The facility’s location was key, adds Vitt. The new station is next to the bus maintenance facility and just across the street from the airport’s consolidated maintenance building. It’s near the terminal and parking facilities, but could also provide public access if BNA ever goes that route. Currently, the station only fuels airport vehicles.

The airport installed three CNG compressors, and two are currently in use. The caps are already in the ground, so new dispensers can be dropped in to accommodate more demand, explains Schugar-Martin. The airport was cognizant of the hassles associated with installing expansion pieces later and opted to endure the extra work and expense on the front end. 

“This is new territory here in Tennessee,” Vitt adds. “It’s very new for us, so we’re looking at what we need to do to define it. The fueling station is not going to be open for public use anytime in the near future, but we’ll look at our options to see if it makes sense later.” 

The airport’s new CNG capabilities are already proving useful beyond the passenger buses. The entire maintenance fleet is beginning to transition as well. Last year, two CNG-burning F-150 pickup trucks were added; and this year, two F-250s and another F-150 will be replaced with CNG-capable counterparts. 

Vitt explains that using CNG vehicles for day-to-day maintenance activities makes sense, given the associated long-term cost and emissions savings.

The team at BNA is all about resiliency, she adds, acknowledging that it was critical to have resident experts like Schugar-Martin and Wharton on board for this project. Wharton, in turn, compliments BNA’s commitment to taking advantage of environmental opportunities as they arise. “The CNG station is just a smaller piece of the airport’s bigger pie,” he comments. “I find the staff at Nashville International to be absolutely committed to the vision.” 

Subcategory: 
Passenger Transport

2022 Charlotte Douglas International Airport Report of Achievement

Giving back to the community is central to what Charlotte Douglas International Airport and its operator, the City of Charlotte Aviation Department, is about, and last year was no different. 

Throughout 2022, while recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, we continued our efforts to have a positive impact on the Charlotte community. Of particular note, we spent the year sharing stories of how Connections Don't Just Happen at the Terminal - from creating homeownership and employment opportunities to supporting economic growth through small-business development and offering outreach programs to help residents understand the Airport better.

This whitepaper highlights the construction projects, initiatives, programs and events that validate Charlotte Douglas as a premier airport.

Download the whitepaper: 2022 Charlotte Douglas International Airport Report of Achievement.

 

 

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