Event Title
Mustainability: Can Going Green Mean Saving Green?
Location
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
Description
PURPOSE: The Grand Rapids Police Department is looking to implement an environmentally sustainable and economically sound police fleet. Summer Intern Rupert Griffin is responsible for comparing vehicles and compiling a list of driving best practices to help the department achieve this goal. SUBJECTS: Comparisons were run between a Traditional Ford Police Interceptor and a Ford Fusion Hybrid sedan. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Performance information on the vehicles was collected from the manufacturer’s website, Ford.com. Information on vehicle emissions was gathered from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A meta-analysis of reports from other cities and their police departments was performed to gather information on driver behavior and best practices. ANALYSES: A meta-analysis of the data compiled through our research was performed to determine an optimal set of driving techniques and suggested emissions targets. RESULTS: The results of Rupert’s research led him to recommend that the police officers highly consider addressing the drivers’ behaviors for an up to 10% reduction in emissions and 14% reduction in fuel costs, as well as consider purchasing hybrids as they replace fleet vehicles. CONCLUSIONS: Though Rupert was ready to present his research and options to his boss, the City of Grand Rapids ended up selecting a vehicle that was not in his initial comparison: the Ford Interceptor Utility. This vehicle was chosen for its more spacious interior, allowing increased space for the officers and their equipment.
Mustainability: Can Going Green Mean Saving Green?
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
PURPOSE: The Grand Rapids Police Department is looking to implement an environmentally sustainable and economically sound police fleet. Summer Intern Rupert Griffin is responsible for comparing vehicles and compiling a list of driving best practices to help the department achieve this goal. SUBJECTS: Comparisons were run between a Traditional Ford Police Interceptor and a Ford Fusion Hybrid sedan. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Performance information on the vehicles was collected from the manufacturer’s website, Ford.com. Information on vehicle emissions was gathered from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A meta-analysis of reports from other cities and their police departments was performed to gather information on driver behavior and best practices. ANALYSES: A meta-analysis of the data compiled through our research was performed to determine an optimal set of driving techniques and suggested emissions targets. RESULTS: The results of Rupert’s research led him to recommend that the police officers highly consider addressing the drivers’ behaviors for an up to 10% reduction in emissions and 14% reduction in fuel costs, as well as consider purchasing hybrids as they replace fleet vehicles. CONCLUSIONS: Though Rupert was ready to present his research and options to his boss, the City of Grand Rapids ended up selecting a vehicle that was not in his initial comparison: the Ford Interceptor Utility. This vehicle was chosen for its more spacious interior, allowing increased space for the officers and their equipment.