Skyrocketing fuel prices have Missourians and MoDOT alike feeling the effects of the war in Iraq and the hurricanes that wreaked havoc on the southern part of the United States. Fuel prices have increased an average of 43 percent since last year.
“MoDOT employees are very resourceful, and I’m sure we’ll find ways to tighten our belts and do the most with what we have,” said Don Hillis, director of System Management.
The rising cost of fuel has hit MoDOT hard. The department purchases about 10 millions of fuel a year to run its fleet of more than 6,200 vehicles (about 1.2 million gallons of that total is sold to the Highway Patrol). This cost was about $15 million in Fiscal Year 2005; we’ve budgeted $25 million for Fiscal Year 2006.
“It’s important for everyone to do their part in times like these,” Hillis said. “A little planning ahead can save a lot of fuel. Situations like these really give us an opportunity to evaluate what we do and ensure we’re doing what’s best and most efficient.”
Tips to conserve fuel at work and home:
What some employees are already doing to conserve fuel.
- Maintenance building employees are maintaining their current procurement habits for acquiring fuel and avoiding “topping off” tanks.
- Minimizing movement of large equipment by planning ahead for projects, and using smaller vehicles to travel from one site to another.
- Minimizing “deadheading” – making the most efficient use of all equipment and trying to have a specific use of equipment for both ways of a trip.
- Checking policies to find areas where they can scale back some fuel-consumption efforts.
- Carpooling, taking the bus and walking or riding bicycles to work - one person switching from driving alone to riding the bus or train to work can save $1,500 annually.
- Using rideshare programs – connecting workers with prospective carpool programs can cut commuting costs in half.
- Using one of MoDOT’s 101 commuter lots throughout the state.
- Driving at a steady pace, accelerating smoothly, not letting the engine idle for more than a minute and ensuring the air conditioned air is getting re-circulated.
- Checking tire pressure regularly - under-inflated tires increase gas consumption.
- Planning driving routes and combining errands.
- Driving other vehicles you may own that get better gas mileage.
For more fuel saving tips, visit the MoDOT intranet site.
