Conclusions and Recommendations
Course of action:
Ongoing reform in the CNG transportation infrastructure in Texas is extremely important. Government funding specifically for CNG partnership projects are essential for the support of a sustainable public and private infrastructure. Universities are often centers for research and development, receive government funding to do so, and have, historically, been at the forefront of social change. Public transportation provides a valuable service that is primarily limited by operating cost. As with any long-term sustainable transition, this will require a number of other, perhaps costly, reforms.
The plan:
Establish a park-and-ride style commuter system for The University of Houston campus that would utilize CNG buses. A similar concept can be extended to other public university campuses in the State of Texas, systematically creating a web of CNG infrastructure with fueling stations that are publicly accessible to personal vehicles, heavy-duty vehicles, and other fleet vehicles. By implementing this plan over time: The University of Houston, the city of Houston, and the State of Texas will take a step towards accomplishing additional positive externalities:
Make Or Buy: 3 Potential Scenario Alternatives
1. Lease contract for CNG vehicle(s) from a licensed operator.
a. Cost will include
i. Lease of vehicle(s)
ii. Vehicle(s) maintenance
iii. Operation
b. The university (contractee) will not incur any costs or responsibilities associated with owning and operating a CNG vehicle or fueling station.
c. Contractee will only recoup the benefits of services provided.
d. If the objective is for the contractee to acquire their own CNG infrastructure:
i. Contract will be for a specified period of time sufficient enough for contractee to obtain funding necessary, government assistance, to purchase CNG vehicle(s) and begin work on building the proper infrastructure for a CNG facility.
e. Fuel costs will be reimbursed to operator
2. Contract partnership with University owned CNG vehicle(s).
a. Cost will include:
i. Operation
ii. Vehicle Maintenance
iii. Storage
iv. Fuel Reimbursement
b. Contractee will only be responsible for the costs of purchasing and obtaining permits for CNG vehicle(s) and cost of fuel.
c. If the objective is for contractee to acquire their own CNG facilities:
i. Contract will be for a specified period of time necessary for contractee to build a CNG fleet and build a supportive maintenance and fueling facilities.
3. CNG facility owned and operated by a University.
a. University will own, operate, and be responsible for:
i. CNG vehicle(s)
ii. Fueling Station:
1. Open for public access
iii. Storage
iv. Operations
1. Vehicle(s)
2. Fueling station
3. Drivers
4. Cleaning
v. Maintenance garage facilities
b. University will incur all costs and responsibilities necessary for a self-sustaining CNG operation.
A university should periodically re-evaluate transportation requirements to insure all needs are being met. These scenarios may be used independently of one another, depending on feasibility and availability of government funding, or as a guide for implementing a full CNG transportation program with each scenario partnership building on the previous.
- Not only must funds, grants, and incentives be available, and be easily accessible, but there must be confidence that the funds will be there year after year.
- A State Compressed Natural Gas Vehicle Committee must be established that works in concert with eligible entities from start to finish for any and all projects to ensure their success.
- As with any long-term sustainable transition, this will require a number of other, perhaps costly, reforms.
Course of action:
Ongoing reform in the CNG transportation infrastructure in Texas is extremely important. Government funding specifically for CNG partnership projects are essential for the support of a sustainable public and private infrastructure. Universities are often centers for research and development, receive government funding to do so, and have, historically, been at the forefront of social change. Public transportation provides a valuable service that is primarily limited by operating cost. As with any long-term sustainable transition, this will require a number of other, perhaps costly, reforms.
The plan:
Establish a park-and-ride style commuter system for The University of Houston campus that would utilize CNG buses. A similar concept can be extended to other public university campuses in the State of Texas, systematically creating a web of CNG infrastructure with fueling stations that are publicly accessible to personal vehicles, heavy-duty vehicles, and other fleet vehicles. By implementing this plan over time: The University of Houston, the city of Houston, and the State of Texas will take a step towards accomplishing additional positive externalities:
- Decrease traffic congestion on Houston freeways and reduce carbon emissions by allowing University of Houston commuter students the opportunity to ride a clean fuel CNG bus directly to campus from the outlying areas of Houston.
- Alleviate the parking congestion that ranks high on the list of student grievances.
Make Or Buy: 3 Potential Scenario Alternatives
1. Lease contract for CNG vehicle(s) from a licensed operator.
a. Cost will include
i. Lease of vehicle(s)
ii. Vehicle(s) maintenance
iii. Operation
b. The university (contractee) will not incur any costs or responsibilities associated with owning and operating a CNG vehicle or fueling station.
c. Contractee will only recoup the benefits of services provided.
d. If the objective is for the contractee to acquire their own CNG infrastructure:
i. Contract will be for a specified period of time sufficient enough for contractee to obtain funding necessary, government assistance, to purchase CNG vehicle(s) and begin work on building the proper infrastructure for a CNG facility.
e. Fuel costs will be reimbursed to operator
2. Contract partnership with University owned CNG vehicle(s).
a. Cost will include:
i. Operation
ii. Vehicle Maintenance
iii. Storage
iv. Fuel Reimbursement
b. Contractee will only be responsible for the costs of purchasing and obtaining permits for CNG vehicle(s) and cost of fuel.
c. If the objective is for contractee to acquire their own CNG facilities:
i. Contract will be for a specified period of time necessary for contractee to build a CNG fleet and build a supportive maintenance and fueling facilities.
3. CNG facility owned and operated by a University.
a. University will own, operate, and be responsible for:
i. CNG vehicle(s)
ii. Fueling Station:
1. Open for public access
iii. Storage
iv. Operations
1. Vehicle(s)
2. Fueling station
3. Drivers
4. Cleaning
v. Maintenance garage facilities
b. University will incur all costs and responsibilities necessary for a self-sustaining CNG operation.
A university should periodically re-evaluate transportation requirements to insure all needs are being met. These scenarios may be used independently of one another, depending on feasibility and availability of government funding, or as a guide for implementing a full CNG transportation program with each scenario partnership building on the previous.