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Execute Contract to Co-Sponsor a Study of Electric Hotel Shuttle Service at Los Angeles International Airport

SYNOPSIS:

Hotel shuttle vehicles account for approximately 15% of all commercial passenger trips into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Collectively, these vehicles emit approximately 20 tons of NOx, 3 tons of hydrocarbons, 28 tons of CO and 1.25 tons of particulate matter each year. CALSTART proposes to examine the feasibility of a consolidated shuttle service, utilizing electric and hybrid electric vehicles at LAX. Project participants include Los Angeles World Airports, Los Angeles Visitors and Convention Bureau, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and The Energy Foundation. Total project cost is $220,000; total AQMD funding will not exceed $50,000.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, March 24, 2000. Less than a quorum was present during the discussion of this item; the Chair and Vice Chair communicated their concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration with no approval or disapproval recommendation from the Committee.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with CALSTART to conduct a study of a consolidated electric technology hotel shuttle service at LAX, in an amount not to exceed $50,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Hotel shuttle vehicles account for approximately 15% of all commercial passenger trips into the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Collectively, these vehicles emit approximately 20 tons of oxides of nitrogen, 3 tons of hydrocarbons, 28 tons of carbon monoxide and 1.25 tons of particulate matter every year. Because these emissions are generated in a relatively small area, the results are that skycaps and other airport employees are exposed to harmful concentrations of pollutants which can result in long-term negative health effects.

The planned expansion of LAX necessitates development of emission reduction strategies in order to comply with federal, state and regional air quality regulations. A consolidated shuttle system would not only reduce emissions in the vicinity of the airport, but also significantly reduce curbside congestion by facilitating more efficient traffic movement through the airport and reducing the total number of hotel vehicle trips.

Proposal

CALSTART proposes to conduct a study for consolidating hotel shuttle services and deploying clean and efficient transportation technologies at LAX. This service could reduce emissions and congestion, and provide a more cost-effective method of shuttling passengers to the hotels. The study will include:

Identification of System Requirements to determine the most cost-effective measures to ease implementation and reduce system costs.

Technology Assessment, including the evaluation of all-electric vehicles, charge-depleting hybrid electric vehicles, battery swapping systems and rapid charging.

Design System Operations in consideration of passenger demand, scheduling, route assignments and fleet configuration.

Total System Cost, including capital investment, passenger revenues and maintenance costs.

Preliminary Implementation Plan, including funding opportunities, marketing and outreach programs, infrastructure installation, and operation oversight.

Feasibility Analysis, including research findings, financial analysis, conclusions and recommendations to advise the project partners of the merits and potential obstacles of implementing a consolidated clean technology hotel shuttle service.

Benefits to AQMD

The proposed project is included in the March 2000 update of the Technology Advancement Plan under Project 2000T-1, Assessment of Advanced Technologies and Information Dissemination." The AQMP relies on the expedited implementation of advanced technologies in Southern California to achieve air quality standards. Planned expansion of LAX necessitates consideration of the feasibility of innovative approaches, such as consolidation of shuttle services. CALSTART has estimated the current emissions from hotel shuttle vehicles operating at LAX to be 20 tons of oxides of nitrogen, 3 tons of hydrocarbons, 28 tons of carbon monoxide and 1.25 tons of particulate matter. Implementation of a consolidated electric shuttle service is conservatively estimated to reduce these emissions by 50%. The proposed study can serve as a model for other airports in the Basin.

Sole Source Justification

Section VIII.B.2 of the Procurement Policy and Procedure identifies four major provisions under which a sole source award may be justified. This request for a sole source award is made under provision B.2.d.: Other circumstances exist which in the determination of the Executive Officer require such waiver in the best interest of the AQMD. Specifically, these circumstances are: B.2.d. (1) Project involving cost sharing by multiple sponsors.

CALSTART is a non profit organization with headquarters in Pasadena, California. CALSTART's mission is energy efficiency and air quality through advanced transportation. The organization has performed numerous feasibility studies and commercialization activities for the implementation of clean fuel technologies.

The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau initiated this study concept as a means to understand how to best serve the interests of its hotel constituents. In an effort to provide adequate service to guests, hotels support sizeable vehicle fleets, representing a significant expense to the hotels. The proposed study will determine the feasibility of a consolidated, clean fuel fleet, which could lower costs while providing air quality benefits.

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is implementing a new fast charging strategy, which significantly increases the utility of battery driven vehicles. In addition, LADWP is supporting the application of grid connected hybrid vehicles. The proposed study will assess the alternatives of battery driven electric buses using rapid charging and/or battery swap out, and will also assess the use of grid connected hybrids.

The Energy Foundation is a partnership of major foundations interested in sustainable energy. The organization is based in San Francisco and provides grants to promote sustainable energy programs. The Foundation has been working with LADWP and CALSTART on a program to encourage the deployment of electric and hybrid electric buses in Los Angeles County.

Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) manages the ground support activities at the Basin's major airports. LAWA has joined this project to further their efforts to reduce emissions and traffic congestion at LAX.

Resource Impacts

The total amount of AQMD funding for this project shall not exceed $50,000. Partners and cost share are detailed as follows:

Funding Partner	Funding
LACVB & LADWP	$75,000
Energy Foundation	50,000
LAWA	45,000
AQMD	50,000
Total Project Costs	$220,000

Sufficient funds are available from the Clean Fuels Fund, established as a special revenue fund resulting from the state-mandated Clean Fuels Program. The Clean Fuels Program, under Health and Safety Code Sections 40448.5 and 40512 and Vehicle Code Section 9250.11, establishes mechanisms to collect revenues from mobile sources to support projects to increase the utilization of clean fuels, including the development of the necessary advanced enabling technologies. Funds collected from motor vehicles are restricted, by statute, to be used for projects and program activities related to mobile sources that support the objectives of the Clean Fuels Program.

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