Academy of Art University’s Transportation System Goes Green
An Academy of Art University bus filled with students is a daily sighting for many San Franciscans.
Recently, however, residents are noticing a dramatic change in the Academy’s buses: there is no
heavy smell of exhaust and no visible smoke.
As a part of its commitment to keep San Francisco clean and pollution-free while meeting its
students’ needs, the Academy of Art University has recently began to incorporate bio-diesel buses
into its transportation fleet. As the student population grows, the Transportation Department
strives to accommodate this increase without putting the environment at stake.
“We are definitely doing our part to be a more green university and that extends all the way
to our Transportation Department,” said Derylle Evans, Director of Transportation at Academy of Art
University.
Part of the Academy’s commitment to the San Francisco community is incorporating “green” and
sustainable practices not only into the Academy’s curriculum, but also into their facilities and
services. The Transportation Department has received tremendous support from President Elisa
Stephens to bring the fleet up to state-of-the-art green technology.
As the Academy phases out the old buses, they have purchased 11 new buses running on
bio-diesel and plan to add six to eight more. Evans’ goal is that in about five years, the Academy’s
fleet will include hybrid and hydrocell buses. And although the Academy is constantly
incorporating the newest technology into its facilities, the Transportation Department takes
caution and thoroughly tests everything before putting it into use.
The City of San Francisco is the foundation of the Academy – its natural beauty serves as
constant artistic inspiration and the
art school is dedicated to preserving it.
“As the buses roll through the city, we are doing our part for the environment,” said Evans.
“Since our founding in 1929, the Academy has been an innovator. We believe that it is artists
& designers who create the vision, the products and the environments needed to implement our
goals for the future," said President Stephens.
The Academy has begun to phase out older buses for newer, more energy efficient buses that
run on bio-diesel fuel. Currently, the buses are running on low-sulfur B20, meaning the fuel is 20
percent corn oil and 80 percent diesel. Low-sulfur diesel has substantially lower emissions of
noxious particulates. Eventually, the buses will be running on B50 or even higher, depending on how
well they test. So far, B20 has worked extremely well with the newer bus engines.
As the Academy phases out the old buses, they have purchased 11 new
buses running on bio-diesel and plan to add six to eight more. Evans’ goal is that in about five
years, the Academy’s fleet will include hybrid and hydrocell buses. And although the Academy is
constantly incorporating the newest technology into its facilities, the Transportation Department
takes caution and thoroughly tests everything before putting it into use.
The City of San Francisco is the foundation of the Academy – its natural beauty serves as
constant artistic inspiration and the school is dedicated to preserving it.
“As the buses roll through the city, we are doing our part for the environment,” said Evans.
Related:
|
