LAWA is currently operating over 633 alternative fuel vehicles. In 1999, by Resolution No. 20609, the Board of Airport Commissioners adopted the Los Angeles World Airports Alternative Fuels Vehicle Program. Recognizing the environmental benefits to be derived from alternative fuel vehicles, this policy states in part that Los Angeles World Airports is committed to identifying and replacing fossil fuel vehicles and equipment, including vehicles powered by compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, electricity, hydrogen and other clean burning alternative fuels. Accordingly, LAWA has undertaken many significant projects at substantial cost to reduce emissions and improve air quality. To that end, LAWA purchased 21 dedicated CNG heavy-duty transit buses to replace diesel-powered buses that had reached the end of their useful life. The buses are fueled at the existing LNG/CNG fuel site at 7350 World Way West, Los Angeles, CA 90045, and at a commercially owned public access refueling site on the corner of 104th Street and Aviation Boulevard in Los Angeles.
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21 CNG heavy-duty 35-foot transit buses were ordered on December 5, 2006. LAWA conducted a factory inspection of the units. The units arrived at North American Bus Industries in Ontario, CA, the local dealer, in June 2007 to undergo preparatory work and adjustments. North American Bus Industries delivered 21 buses to LAWA in July 2007. Outfitting, testing and preparing the buses for use by the Bus Operations Contractor of LAWA's Landside Operations Division was successfully completed and the buses were put into service on August 15, 2007. Data on fuel usage and engine operating hours was collected from August 15, 2007 to June 22, 2008.
The primary goal of this program is to achieve emission reductions that are real, quantifiable, enforceable and cost-effective, in accordance with California Air Resources Board (CARB) and SCAQMD guidelines. The purchase of the CNG transit buses will reduce mobile source emissions from the traditional diesel heavy-duty vehicles.
With the help and support of MSRC, LAWA purchased the CNG transit buses as part of a program to reduce emissions from heavy-duty diesel vehicles. The program has been successful in reducing harmful air emissions associated with diesel fuel. Based on fuel usage and NOX emission certification standards, the estimated NOX reductions are expected to total 0.016 ton/per bus. The project was successful in reducing harmful air emissions by replacing diesel vehicles with CNG vehicles while maintaining jobs. The cost effectiveness of the MSRC grant funding was found to be $6,142/per bus.
All buses are currently operating in daily shuttle service at Los Angeles International Airport.