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GSA Office of Governmentwide Policy

Issue 25 July 2003

http://www.gsa.gov/vehiclepolicy Vehicle

Views

In This Issue

Interagency FAST Track . . . . . . . . 1

vehicle.policy@gsa.gov . . . . . . . . . 3

FEDFLEET 2004. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Special Notice to Automotive

Customers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

From the West Coast. . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Acknowledging is Encouraging . . 8

EPAct Award Winner. . . . . . . . . . . . 9

CNG Vehicles In Use at 

UT, San Antonio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Used Oil Filters: 

Waste or Resource? . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Forget the “Chicken and the Egg.”

If You Want E-85, Just Ask For It . 11

Safety Belt Use by African

Americans Registers Sharp

Increase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

2003 Drive Safely Work Week

Campaign. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Revised Driver’s Hours 

of Service Regulations . . . . . . . . . 14

Interagency

FAST Track

Leads to

Success

U.S. Uses ‘FAST

tracking’ of Vehicles

Once cited for slow driving on

the Information

Superhighway, now federal

agencies reporting on the

government’s fleet of vehicles are in

danger of getting a speeding ticket.

Fleet data is traveling from 68 federal

agencies at the speed of light on the

Internet using a new eGovernment

(electronic government) tool – the

Federal Automotive Statistical Tool

(FAST). 

This light speed reporting began

when the Office of Energy Efficiency

at the Department of Energy (DOE)

requested the Idaho National

Engineering and Environmental

Laboratory (INEEL), a DOE multiprogram laboratory, to create a

paperless reporting system to gather

Alternative Fuel Vehicle information

in FY-1999. 

The General Services

Administration (GSA) saw FAST

demonstrated and quickly

recognized its advantages. They

approached INEEL about adapting

this high performance engine to their

reporting needs. 

GSA’s quick action to adapt FAST

made it the standard for federal-wide

vehicle reporting requirements in

2000, replacing the traditional paperbased/snail-mail system (Standard

Form 82) from 1985. Now, FAST

permits rapid slicing and dicing of

reported data, expanded detail in

final reports and qualitative analysis

for managers and decision-makers.

Previously it took two years to

finalize required reports compared to

FAST, which produces an accurate

report 10 days after the last data call.

FAST is managed by an Executive

Board with members from the

Department of Energy (DOE),

General Services Administration

(GSA), the Energy Information

Administration (EIA) and the Idaho

National Engineering and

Environmental Laboratory (INEEL).

EIA became a part of the Board last

year based on overlapping reporting

requirements. This singular

interagency-based approach to

gathering information and producing

reports has saved significant effort

and financial resources on the part of

respondents, taxpayers, and public

servants.

Success Saves Time, Effort

INEEL, also known as the Home of

Science and Engineering Solutions,

used the Rapid Application

Development (RAD) model and the

Continued on page 2
2

FAST Track from page 1

VehicleViews

Dynamic Systems Development

Methodology (http://www.dsdm.org),

which assumes that 80% of the

functionality can be produced in 20%

of the time (and cost) of sequential

“waterfall” models. So, FAST was

developed and deployed to the entire

federal automotive property

management community for a

modest investment of $128,000.

Using a "spiral" development

approach, GSA, INEEL and DOE

developers created an easy to use

Internet-based system that obtains

information from the database and

then crunches the data for multiple

reporting requirements. 

FAST demonstrates a successful

model for e-Government with an

impressive return on investment

(ROI). It significantly contributes to

improving process, productivity, and

performance as required by the

Clinger Cohen Government

Performance Act and President

Bush's Management Agenda.

In 2003, GSA and DOE’s Office of

Energy Efficiency and the Energy

Information Administration

combined reporting requirements,

adding the reporting of the probable

geographic distribution of all

domestic federal vehicles to the

system. Now the vast majority of

vehicle usage, costs and distribution

of the worldwide federal fleet can be

captured electronically in a single

data call.

INEEL performance support system

developers employed the “Just in

Time Development” approach to

FAST, ensuring rapid compilation of

data, incremental testing, and low

cost. “We built the FAST on-line

reporting system using the existing

paper forms, which were familiar to

those collecting the data. Also, we

developed only those components

that were absolutely necessary to the

initial system and placed it in a form

that was intuitive to the user. We

focused on appearance, interface,

and functional logic,” said Richard

Holman, Manager of the INEEL's

Center for Performance

Improvement, creators of the FAST

application. 

The INEEL's broad base of talent

ensured that Human Factors

Engineering, Electronic Performance

Support, Software Engineering and

Software Development were

considered. This integrated

approach reduced the need for

system user training and increased

the speed at which data could be

compiled and collated from local

government fleets in the field.

Relying on the regulatory

requirements, FAST designers

moved early to collaborate,

consolidate and resolve issues

before advancing too far into

development. This and the phased

development and implementation

approach permitted FAST

developers to respond quickly when

GSA wanted to further expand the

capabilities of the reporting system. 

Key actions ensured that a

streamlined management structure

reached success quickly. These

included clearly defined

communication and decision-making

paths, consensus on the change

management process, and focus on

unifying agency proponents to

provide intelligible data to the

ultimate end users, the Office of

Management and Budget (OMB),

Congress and the taxpayer.

Method Succeeds, Requires

Process Focus

In pursuing the data required for this

compilation, FAST designers first

researched the level of computer

literacy and capability of data

providers, created awareness of

mandatory reporting requirements

and importance of formatted Internet

data submissions, identified and

eliminated barriers to submissions,

and determined the best method of

authorizing submissions. 

“We avoided taking too big of a bite

in automating this system and

instead integrated data submission

with existing systems,” said Holman.

He added, “We expected some

resistance and planned for this to

ensure that we could get an

immediate 400% labor savings and

avoid resubmissions.” This frees

staff and resources to accomplish

other tasks, expanding the positive

impact and return on investment for

all agencies. 

Other key elements to the

methodology included getting

leadership to mandate system use,

demonstrating efficiency and

performance gains to leaders and

individuals, working to merge

reporting requirements, and

developing collective ownership of

problem resolution.

Also, FAST used thorough analysis

of data collection needs, simple

architecture and data configuration

for submissions, and reliance upon

common, simple browser protocols

Continued on page 3
VehicleViews

3

instead of proprietary methods. 

This year the system continues user

performance improvements by

upgrading the user interface with a

“bulk data upload” utility. This

streamlines reporting by enabling

system users to compile their data

into a spreadsheet format, and

uploading that entire file into the

system. This will greatly automate

much of the data input tasks

remaining for system users.

Through its selection and adaptation

of FAST, GSA has significantly

improved its decision-making ability

and increased productivity in

managing federal fleets. ■

A federal employee writes, “A

debate has arisen in our office. I am

with [XYZ] administration and the

safety investigators in this and other

offices travel extensively in GSA

leased cars. Some staff wants to

wash their assigned cars once each

week while others want to do it once

each month. The car wash costs

about $8.00 and the washes are

charged to the GSA fleet card. Does

GSA have a limitation on how often

cars can be washed?”

GSA Fleet allows a certain number

of car washes to be charged to fleet

charge card. The number depends on

local conditions. Contact your

servicing Fleet Management Center

(FMC) for the number that applies to

you. You can find the location and

telephone number of your FMC at the

website located at

http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/offering.js

p?OID=119529, click on Vehicle

Leasing (on the right), then click on

Regional and Fleet Management

Contacts. ■

vehicle.policy@gsa.gov

E-mail the Experts in the Federal Vehicle Policy Division

FAST Track from page 2

Start Spreadin’ the News...

Think July 2004. Think summertime in “The Big Apple”. 

Think training event in “the city that never sleeps”.

That’s right...

FedFleet 2004 is headed for

New York, New York!
VehicleViews

4

Now, a few words from the Project Manager,

Laurie S. Feld...

ALL events (registration, workshop training

sessions, plenary sessions, exhibit hall,

meals, breaks) will be held in the Javits

Center.

The Sheraton and the Javits Center are

about one mile from one another and both

are located on the West-side of Manhattan.

Shuttle bus transportation will be provided

to FedFleet participants free of charge

(please wear your name badge).

ALL rooms at the Sheraton (for both

federal government and non-federal

government participants) will be offered at

the prevailing federal per diem rate. This

special rate will also be offered three days

before and after FedFleet 2004. State and

local taxes will not apply for participants

who present their federal government

identification. Room reservations are the

responsibility of each participant – we

encourage you to make your plans early.

Our Event – FedFleet 2004 is being

designed to provide you with innovative fleet

management information geared toward the

future that will help make your fleet more

efficient and cost effective. There will be

something for everyone, no matter what

position you hold. The agenda is structured

to give everyone many opportunities to

interact with one another. You’ll be able to

meet hundreds of fleet vendors and other

fleet professionals all in one place at the

same time. There will be 5 plenary sessions,

48 workshop training sessions, a large

exhibit hall, and two evening receptions as

well as breakfast, lunch and two refreshment

breaks each day. 

Our Participants – Remember this is your

event and we encourage you to make the

most of your time there. Come share your

ideas, network with your associates, and ask

challenging questions. And by all means,

Who

You and Your Fellow Fleet Professionals

What

FedFleet 2004:

The Road to the Future is Now

The Fourth National 

Federal Fleet Manager Workshop and Information Fair

Where

Jacob K. Javits Convention Center

655 West 34th Street

New York, New York 10001

(Located on 11th Avenue between 34th and 39th Streets.)

Phone: 212-216-2000

Website: www.javitscenter.com

Headquarter Hotel

Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers

811 7th Avenue on 53rd Street

New York, New York 10019

Phone: 212-581-1000

Website: www.sheraton.com/newyork

When

July 20 – 22, 2004

Why

Read on...
VehicleViews

5

come a few days early or stay a few days longer, take

advantage of the special hotel rate, and enjoy your stay in

New York City.

Our Speakers – These experienced fleet professionals

will share their extensive experience and knowledge base

with you. They’ll discuss what works in reality and what

doesn’t work and why. These experts are here for you so

ask probing questions and engage in dialogue that will

have an impact on how you perform your job.

Our Exhibitors – Seeing is believing! They’ll provide you

with an extensive “show and tell” of the latest fleet

technology, products, and services. Spend as much time

with the exhibitors as you can. They want to meet you, talk

about your specific issues and needs, and help you resolve

the problems you are facing. FedFleet 2004 would not be

possible without the participation and support of our

exhibitors and we thank them for their interest in federal

motor vehicle programs.

Workshop Training Sessions – The planning committee

has used suggestions from past FedFleet participants and

from national agency fleet representatives to develop

sessions that will help you:

• obtain your professional goals, 

• improve your understanding of trends in the fleet

industry, and

• keep up with new technological advances and critical

topics facing the ever-changing and ever-challenging

world of fleet management. 

The concrete examples and valuable information you’ll

learn while participating in FedFleet 2004 will enable you

to:

• return to work with a fresh perspective, 

• put into practice the improvements and ideas you’ve

learned,

• share your new knowledge and leads with your fellow

associates and upper management. 

On-Site Agency Meetings – The planning committee is

happy to continue our tradition of offering FREE meeting

room space for on-site agency meetings. We encourage

you to consider holding an on-site meeting with your

agency-wide associates who are in attendance at FedFleet

2004. What a convenient, practical, and cost-effective

decision! Meeting room space is available at the Sheraton

before and after Workshop events. Space is limited and is

assigned on a first-come first-serve basis. Please contact

Laurie Feld for further information or to reserve your

space (laurie.feld@gsa.gov or 202-219-1821). 

Now, a few words about our destination...

New York City (NYC) is known as the nation's biggest,

most intriguing, and most diverse city. This dynamic and

vibrant city is a terrific location to host a national event

like FedFleet 2004!! NYC’s combination of vitality,

convenience, first-rate facilities, and unrivaled dining and

sightseeing opportunities virtually assures an enjoyable

experience for all. Whatever your interest, you'll find it

across town or around the corner. NYC has something to

offer everyone – 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It

truly is “the city that never sleeps”. 

There’s so much to choose from – restaurants,

entertainment, cultural activities, sightseeing attractions,

theaters, and museums. With all of this, it is practically

impossible to leave NYC without having been “culturallyenriched”. It's all there – on stage, on exhibit, on water, on

the street, or in the sky! Here are some examples:

• Central Park Zoo, New York Aquarium, Bronx Zoo

• Intrepid Sea-Air Space Museum on the USS Intrepid

Aircraft Carrier

• Circle Line's legendary cruise around Manhattan Island

or a ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island 

• Guided tours to major attractions like the United

Nations, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State

Building’s 102nd Floor Observation Deck, NBC TV &

Radio Studios, South Street Seaport, Wall Street Stock

Exchange 

• A show on Broadway, off Broadway, or off-off Broadway

• Lincoln Center, the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall,

the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, New York

Philharmonic, New York City Ballet

• New York Yankees game atYankee Stadium or Mets

Game at Shea Stadium

• A horse-drawn carriage ride or a leisurely stroll through

Central Park

• An impressive variety of museums: Museum of Modern

Art, Museum of Natural History, Metropolitan Museum,

the Guggenheim, the Hayden Planetarium at the

American Museum of Natural History, as well as
VehicleViews

6

galleries and artists’ studios

• Chinatown, Little Italy, Harlem, Greenwich Village, Wall

Street

• An endless array of nightlife and live entertainment

options

• Numerous free sightseeing delights

• Many attractions are within walking distance of the

Sheraton – you can’t beat that!

For those who like to shop, NYC is the place for you. The

Garment District is a seamstress and shopper’s dream

come true. The city's premier shopping streets, Madison

Avenue and Fifth Avenue, are destinations in their own

right. The largest department stores are Bloomingdale's

onThird Avenue and Macy's at Herald Square (which is

also the world’s largest store).

NYC's ethnic neighborhoods are culinary and tourist

destinations in their own right. But then, what would you

expect from a town with more than 18,000 restaurants to

satisfy everyone’s appetite. And, you certainly won’t walk

away hungry, or “un-entertained”. Bargain dining abounds

and every imaginable dining experience can be had – from

curbside to cafés. Come enjoy one of those often talked

about, but never imitated, NYC bagel, pizza or streetvendor hot dog. 

NYC offers outstanding transportation options and it is

very easy to reach. Frequent train service into

Manhattan’s Penn Station is available on Amtrak.

Airfares to NYC are reasonable. It’s a non-stop flight

away from hundreds of cities. There are hourly departures

and arrivals from Washington, DC. Three major airports

service NYC – LaGuardia (LGA), John F. Kennedy

International (JFK), and Newark International (EWR).

From the airport, the FedFleet 2004 venue can be easily

reached by taxicab, shuttle bus, private car, or public bus.

LaGuardia Airport, only about seven miles from the

Sheraton, is the airport we recommend you use. 

Navigating through NYC is so easy, thanks to the nation's

largest and most extensive mass transit public

transportation system. Taxicabs, subways and buses

operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “The city that

never sleeps” also never stops moving! Wherever you want

or need to go, there’s a means to get there, whether below

ground, above ground, in the air, or on the water. There are

over 4,300 buses running over 230 routes and over 5,800

subway cars covering over 650 miles of track and servicing

over 460 stations. With over 12,000 taxis, a rental car is

unnecessary. There's a taxi wherever you look and they’re

never more than a minute away. NYC is the quintessential

walking city with so much easily and pleasantly reached

on foot.

Please stay tuned for further details and updates. Be sure

to visit www.fedfleet.org and check back often. The

website is full of details to help you plan your participation

at FedFleet 2004, as well as plan some fun excursions in

your free time. 

As we’ve proven at past FedFleet events, you’ll receive

outstanding and quality training. You’ll make useful

contacts and you’ll walk through an exhibit hall full of the

products and services you need to do your best everyday.

Undoubtedly, you’ll also be treated to a good time and

they’ll be surprises all week long. 

Your time at FedFleet 2004 will certainly be time well

spent. You’ll walk away knowing you attended a

worthwhile and beneficial training opportunity. The

training you’ll receive at this event and your experience in

NYC will be memorable. The planning committee believes

a very exciting event is in the making. ■

FedFleet 2004 will certainly be an unforgettable event 

in an unforgettable city!

We hope to see you in “The Big Apple” in July 2004!

Remember, “The Road to the Future is Now” 

and all roads lead to New York, New York!
VehicleViews

7
VehicleViews

8

Jim Vogelsinger is

leaving the Federal

Vehicle Policy

Division to give

fulltime support to our

Deputy Associate

Administrator, Becky

Rhodes. Jim is the

Office’s lead IT

person. Jim was a

valuable asset in fleet

management during

his stay with us. He’ll

be missed!

Our six (6) Local FedFleet Policy Council Chapters

(LFFPCC) members and I are still going strong.

The chapters (Golden Gate, Puget Sound,

Columbia River, Anchorage, Boise and Salt Lake city) hold

regular quarterly meetings and collaborate to build

consensus and to resolve local federal fleet issues. 

Since the April 2003 issue/publication of our Vehicle Views

Newsletter, I’ve participated in four (4) local fedfleet policy

council chapter meetings and a potential chapter meeting

held in, San Francisco, California; Anchorage and

Fairbanks, Alaska; Salt Lake City, Utah and Boise, Idaho. 

Besides working to increase each chapter’s visibility and

membership, the LFFPCCs have partnered with local clean

cities coalitions, state and local governments, colleges and

universities and the private sector, sharing ideas and

assisting/supporting each other in every way that we can.

We are collaborating on issues of commonality associated

with AFV acquisition, refueling infrastructure locations (by

type), funding streams, inter-service-support agreements

and many, many more by participating in each others’

workshops, conferences, special events etc. 

Many of our Salt Lake Local Fedfleet Policy Council

Chapter members recently played an integral part in the

development and establishment of AFV Infra-Structure in

the Salt Lake City, Utah area.

The FedFleet Family through its emphasis on inclusion and

collaboration has developed a reputation that has and is

creating a lot of interest in what we are doing as an

organization. The fleet communities know FedFleet is an

organization that invites others to become actively

involved in the processes of future federal fleet policy

decisions. 

After learning about the successes and partnerships

resulting from the establishment of the Local FedFleet

Policy Council Chapters in other cities, federal agency

fleet representatives in Fairbanks, Alaska asked if we could

establish a chapter in Fairbanks, in the near future. ■

Acknowledging is Encouraging 

THANK YOU!

We would like to express our Thanks to those agencies that submitted

nominations for the annual EPAct Award. Also, we wish to give special Thanks

to the individuals who volunteered and served on the selection committee.

Those were Bernard Tewey (SSA), Joe Gerhart (TSA), John Smith (GSA),

Louise Henderson (BLS), Rebecca Edmonds (DOJ), Sandra Blackwell (DOC),

Veronica Busby (AID), and William Lehman (TVA). Their commitment to the

federal fleet community is admirable. Their work was not easy since there were

11 extremely well qualified applicants.

The winner of the Alternative Fuels, Conservation, and Awareness Award is

SMSgt Rex A. Curry (Air Force). He received his award at the Awards

Luncheon and Keynote Presentation at IMEAC in Portland, Oregon on June 26,

2003. ■

From the West Coast

By Nate Reed, West Coast Representative, 

Federal Vehicle Policy Division, Office of Governmentwide Policy,

U.S. General Services Administration
9

SMSgt Rex A. Curry serves as

the Air Force focal point for

all policy, doctrine and

guidance relating to the maintenance

of the Unites States Air Force’s

diverse, 82,000 plus vehicle fleet,

valued in excess of $2.1 billion.

SMSgt Curry also develops and

coordinates Air Force policy and

training for the 7,000 military and

civilian personnel in the Air Force

vehicle maintenance career field, and

advises senior Air Force leadership

on vehicle issues. Within this

capacity, SMSgt Curry has been a

staunch supporter of alternative fuels

and fuel conservation, and has been

a singular driving force in bringing

the Air Force’s alternative fuel

program to where it’s at today.

Since his arrival, the Air Force’s

ailing alternative fuel program has

been on a road to success.

Acquisition mandates have improved

from 23 percent for fiscal year 1999, to

an all time high of 61 percent in fiscal

year 2002, with a firm projection of

exceeding the acquisition mandate in

fiscal year 2003. Additionally, the Air

Force achieved a 6 percent decrease

in overall petroleum use in fiscal year

2002.

SMSgt worked with GSA and was

able to modify Budget Office Activity

Codes to specifically identify Air

Force vehicles to major command

units of assignment, and for fiscal

year 2002 FAST reporting used these

modifications to allow the Air Force

major commands to provide the

critical data needed for FSAT

reporting. The results have been

increased visibility, ownership of the

program at the appropriate level and

an increased awareness of actions

necessary to meet EPAct and EO

13149 mandates and goals.

Program improvements attributed to

SMSgt Curry include: 

• Jumpstarted Air Force use of

biodiesel fuel;

• Led effort to establish ethanolrefueling infrastructure at Air

Force installations;

• Brokered Daimler-Chrysler GEM

gift of 113 low-speed vehicles to

the Air Force; and

• Participated as the Air Force’s key

member on a Department of

Defense working group that

authored and published a first-ever

Department of Defense

compliance strategy. This

document provides EPAct and EO

13149 program direction and policy

guidance for all Department of

Defense agencies.

Ergo, SMSgT REX A. CURRY our

2003 winner! ■

University of Texas 

at San Antonio

The University of Texas at San Antonio maintains a fleet of 18 compressed

natural gas (CNG) vehicles, 2 liquefied natural gas (LNG) vehicles, 2

ethanol vehicles and an electric golf cart. The university has refueling

stations and rechargers on-site. 

Contact: Director of Transportation, Roger Terry, at 210-458-4288. ■

EPAct Award Winner

SMSgt Rex A. Curry

Air Force SMSgt. Rex A. Curry

on the GREENfront
VehicleViews

10

Used Oil Filters: Waste or Resource?

Good car care goes beyond

changing your oil and oil filter

every 3,000 miles. It also

includes being environmentally

responsible when disposing of used

oil filters. “While almost all used oil

filters were simply discarded only a

few years ago, we now recognize

them as a valuable resource,” said

Brent Hazelett, executive director of

the Filter Manufacturers Council and

director of Environmental Affairs for

the Motor & Equipment

Manufacturers Association (MEMA)

Environmental Institute. “We have

certainly come a long way, from

nearly zero used oil filters recycled to

over 100 million annually, but we still

have a great challenge ahead.” 

Steel scrap, including recycled oil

filters, is a vital ingredient in the

steelmaking process. Approximately

200,000 tons of steel would be

recovered if all the filters sold in the

United States annually were

recycled. Filters that are not recycled

contribute to the existing landfill

problem. The Filter Manufacturers

Council (FMC) is devoted to

increasing the recycling rate of used

oil filters across the nation by

heightening consumer awareness.

The FMC established the Used Filter

Recycling Database,

www.filtercouncil.org, to provide

support information to business

owners establishing filter recycling

collection programs, specifically

regulatory information, and a list of

companies offering recycling

services. Three brochures are also

available from the FMC, published in

cooperation with the Steel Recycling

Institute (SRI). The partnership was

developed to provide home

mechanics and oil change

businesses with information on used

oil filters. The first brochure details

steps for recycling oil filters for “doit-yourself” mechanics, while the

second provides tips for businesses

to establish an oil filter collection

and recycling program. The third

brochure is entitled “How to choose a

filter management service,” and

gives tips on how to choose a proper

filter transporter, processor, or

recycler for your business. 

Businesses can obtain copies of the

brochures and any other information

on filter recycling by calling the Used

Filter Recycling Hotline at 1-800-993-

4583. This information can also be

retrieved from the FMC website at

www.filtercouncil.org. The website

will allow users to

access state

regulations

and gain

instant

information on filter transporters,

processors, and recyclers servicing

any state or Canadian province. It

also provides access to over 40

technical service bulletins published

by the Council. These bulletins

provide valuable information to

mechanics on such topics as; the

impact of dents on spin-on filters,

transmission fluid evacuation

service, extended oil drain intervals,

and many others. 

Established in 1971, the Filter

Manufacturers Council represents 26

international manufacturers of

vehicular and industrial filtration

products, as well as select suppliers.

The organization has undertaken

several environmental initiatives,

including the most comprehensive

study of used oil filters to date, and

continues to encourage the recycling

of used oil filters. The Council is

administered by the MEMA. ■
11

AFVsuccess stories

Have you heard the one about

the chicken and the egg?

Which came first, the

chicken or the egg? In the world of

alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs), we

frequently ask that question: Which

comes first, the AFVs or the fuel?

With flex-fuel vehicles and ethanol

(E-85), which comes first isn’t

important. 

The question isn’t important because

flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) are here,

everywhere, thousands of them. And

tens of thousands of ordinary drivers

own FFVs, although very few are

aware that they drive a clean-burning

alternative fuel vehicle.

Many of you, also, drive governmentowned FFVs. The difference between

you driving your agency’s FFV and

the general public is that you

probably know about E-85; you

probably know about the Energy

Policy Act and Executive Order 13149.

You may even be aware of the

directive that by 2005 federal

agencies must displace 85 percent of

their petroleum fuels.

But where’s this alternative fuel?

That was our problem in Utah. Very

little corn is grown here, so there

were no corn growers pushing

ethanol. There were no ethanol

producers looking for markets.

Operators of traditional “gasoline

stations” were polite but not

interested in E-85. In the past, E-85

had few friends in Utah.

But you don’t need too many friends

as long as you have the “right” kind.

Three years ago the right kind in

Utah worked for the federal

government: Hill Air Force Base

(Base), the United States Postal

Service (USPS), and Utah Army

National Guard. And THEY had a

friend; Salt Lake Clean Cities. 

Kathy Hamby former fleet manager,

Hill Air Force Base, who already had

compressed natural gas and

propane-fueled vehicles included in

her fleet. The Base also operated

FFVs but only on gasoline because

ethanol wasn’t available and Kathy

had no money to build a refueling site

on Base. So she went off base, found

John Petroff who owned JP Texaco

and convinced him to convert an

underground tank to store and

dispense E-85 to both the Air Force

and the general public.

Ric Wilkins, USPS, Utah fleet

manager, with nearly 400 FFV

delivery vehicles ... and NO E-85s.

Todd Christensen, like John Petroff,

owned his own business and had an

under-utilized tank that could be

converted to hold ethanol. Both

businessmen saw the value of adding

another product to sell, and both

Hamby and Wilkins said they would

send their drivers and vehicles to buy

E-85.

Finally, Elgin Williams was still

applying for business licenses for his

new Chevron station and

convenience store when Sgt. Bill

Ross, Utah Army National Guard,

saw the license application and

phoned him. At their first meeting,

which included Beverly Miller,

Director, Salt Lake Clean Cities, it

was agreed that the Chevron station

would be designed to include E-85;

Clean Cities would provide a

“forgivable-loan” to help cover

expenses; the Utah Energy Office

would approve a low-interest loan to

also help cover expenses; and Sgt.

Ross would send his Army recruiters

to refuel on E-85. 

Today there are four ethanol (E-85)

refueling stations in Utah and federal

agency fleet managers can be

thanked for three of them.

Businesses that sell fuel want to

make money. They need customers.

Federal fleet managers have

alternative fuel mandates to meet,

and vehicles to operate. They can

“deliver customers.” Business

owners will listen and react to that. 

What about that fourth E-85 site?

Who caused that station to happen?

Edward G. Benson, Superintendent of

Fleet Maintenance, on the Redwood

Road campus of Salt Lake

Community College, Utah, believed

the College should do “its fair share”

to meet federal mandates for AFVs.

He and the administration made the

decision to also retrofit an underutilized, underground tank. On April

25, the day of the grand opening, the

rest of us just showed up and

cheered.

Contact: Beverly Miller, Director,

Salt Lake Clean Cities at 801-535-

7736. ■

Forget the “Chicken and Egg.” 

If You Want E-85, Just Ask For It.
12

Safety belt use among African

Americans registered a

major gain between 2000 and

2002, increasing to essentially the

same level as that of the general

population, according to estimates

from a major survey conducted by

the U.S. Department of

Transportation’s National Highway

Traffic Safety Administration.

The new data were released by

NHTSA Administrator Jeffrey W.

Runge, M.D., during a speech before

the Lifesavers 2003 conference in

Chicago. Also at the conference, the

largest annual gathering of highway

safety professionals, Dr. Runge

presented 14 NHTSA awards for

public service.

The latest NHTSA survey indicates

that African Americans currently use

safety belts 77 percent of the time, an

8 percentage point increase since

2000 and the highest level reported

since the agency began conducting

such surveys nine years ago. The

comparable figure for the overall U.S.

population is now 75 percent.

“These numbers are the result of

years of hard work by our traffic

safety partners in the African

American community. This is

extremely heartening,” Dr. Runge

said, “and will quickly result in fewer

deaths and injuries to our citizens.”

Safety Belt Use by African

Americans Registers Sharp

Increase to Record Level, Latest

NHTSA Belt Use Survey Shows 

Gains in safety belt use by African

Americans are attributable to a

significant degree to efforts by the

Meharry Medical College, the Blue

Ribbon Panel To Increase Seat Belt

Use Among African Americans, and

to a number of African American

organizations that implemented the

panel’s recommendation, Dr. Runge

said.

In addition to other findings from the

survey, the new NHTSA statistics

indicate that the gender gap for

safety belt use is narrowing,

although males still lag females by 7

percentage points. That compares

with a 10 percentage point difference

in 2000. Males are now restrained 72

percent of the time, while females

use safety belts 79 percent of the

time. The latest NHTSA survey also

shows a significant improvement in

safety belt use among youths. Those

in the 8- to 15-year-old age group

were restrained 82 percent of the

time in the 2002 survey. The most

comparable estimate from the

previous survey for 2000 showed that

66 percent of youths age 5 to 15 were

buckled up.

In February, NHTSA reported that

restraint use among young children

rose to a record level in 2002. An

estimated 99 percent of infants under

age one are now restrained, up 4

percentage points from 2000. Fully 94

the SAFETYzone

percent of toddlers are now

restrained, a 3 percentage point gain

over two years ago. The latest

statistics indicate that 83 percent of

children ages four to seven are

restrained. No comparable statistics

are available for this age group from

previous NHTSA surveys.

Restraint use estimates are based

on the National Occupant Protection

Use Survey (NOPUS), conducted

periodically by NHTSA. The latest

survey was conducted in June 2002

and its results were compared with a

prior NOPUS survey done in the fall

of 2000, which also tracked safety

belt use among various demographic

groups. 

Additional key findings of the latest

NOPUS survey include the following:

• Safety belt use among young

people ages 16 to 24 remained

constant between 2000 and 2002 at

69 percent, the lowest level of use

for any age group. 

• Belt use among those in rural

areas increased to 73 percent in

2002, a 5 percentage point gain. 

• Males riding in pickup trucks are

restrained only 65 percent of the

time, compared with 74 percent in

other types of vehicles. Females

are restrained 80 percent of the

time in passenger cars, 82 percent

in vans and sport utility vehicles,

and 71 percent in pickup trucks. 

NHTSA has been gathering NOPUS

statistics on restraint use since 1994.

The latest numbers were derived from

a survey conducted during a 20-day

period beginning on June 3, 2002.

NHTSA data collectors observed

37,900 vehicles at 1,100 intersections

Continued on page 13
VehicleViews

13

throughout the United States. In the

course of the survey, they observed

37,900 drivers and 11,600 passengers.

These included 38,100 whites, 6,000

African Americans and 5,400 other

individuals. 

The margin of error for the survey on

restraint use is plus or minus 4.4

percentage points for African

Americans, 3.2 percentage points for

whites, and 3.8 for other racial groups.

The newly released NHTSA survey

results are summarized in a research

note on the agency’s Website at:

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injur

y/airbags/demographic03-

03/demographic.htm.

Contact: Ellen Martin at (202) 366-

9550 ■

SAFETY BELT USE from page 12

Safe Driving is

Everyone’s Business. 

Do Your Part. 

While driving for work do you

struggle to navigate clogged

highways, inch through jam-packed

intersections, or do you cruise along

scenic two-lane rural roads?

Regardless of the roads you are

traveling, you are undoubtedly

encountering ever-increasing fender

benders from hurried motorists and

experiencing disabled vehicles

blocking roadways causing

unplanned waits and travel delays. 

While it is obvious that traffic

congestion costs us time, what is

less obvious, but still very real, is the

cost in traffic deaths and injuries.

Bottlenecks aren’t just a nuisance;

the lack of adequate capacity on our

roadways actually causes traffic

crashes that injures or kill drivers

and their passengers. As more

vehicles travel on roadways, speeds

and spacing between vehicles are

reduced. The time needed for drivers

to react is significantly shortened,

increasing driver frustration.

Dangerous driver actions become

more common and the potential for

crashes increases.

According to the Federal Highway

Administration (FHWA), drivers

must face the hard truth: at least half

of the congestion we encounter is our

own fault. We run out of gas. We butt

into merge lines. We miss our exit

ramp and slam into each other.

When trouble strikes someone else,

we slow down to look. Traffic

engineers call the ensuing backups

“nonrecurring” congestion. These

are the delays that frustrate people

the most, the kind that no amount of

careful planning can contain. They

strike anywhere, at any time, with the

power to turn a barely tolerable – but

at least predictable—drive into a fullblown muddle.

The good news is that we can all do

our part, to make roadways less

congested and more reliable. While

motorists cannot control road or

weather conditions or suspend work

zones, drivers can control the sizable

segment of congestion caused by

crashes and breakdowns simply by

driving more carefully, knowing their

route, and taking better care of their

vehicles.

Drive Safely Work Week (DSWW)

2003 is October 6-10 and focuses on

the positive actions that each driver

can take to ensure their safety and

the safety of others sharing the road

as they drive for work or commute to

and from work. These days it’s more

important than ever to drive carefully,

2003 Drive Safely Work Week

Campaign 

Focuses on the positive actions that each

driver can take to ensure their safety and

the safety of others sharing the road. 

Continued on page 14
share the road, plan ahead, and take

better care of your vehicle. Driving

safely on our overcrowded roadways

is a demanding task that requires

constant attention with little time to

attend to other nondriving-related

work and personal tasks. 

To help educate employees so they

can do their part to combat the

human and economic costs of traffic

crashes, the Network of Employers

for Traffic Safety (NETS), a

public/private partnership, has made

Safe Driving Is Everyone’s Business.

Do Your Part., the theme for the

seventh annual Drive Safely Work

Week (DSWW) campaign taking

place October 6-10, 2003. NETS will

launch the campaign in early June

and will promote the campaign and

its lifesaving messages throughout

the summer with electronic

messaging, an online poll, and

supplemental materials to engage

employees leading up to the

campaign week.

NETS is pleased to offer the 2003

Drive Safely Work Week tool kit—

packed with information, activities,

and messaging to draw attention to

the part each driver plays in

preventing the traffic crashes and

bottlenecks associated with risky

driving behaviors and poorly

maintained vehicles that breakdown

creating “nonrecurring” congestion.

By eliminating these unpredictable

backups, drivers can do their part to

ease the overburdened and often

congested highway system. Last

year, Drive Safely Work Week

reached millions of employees across

the country with its safe-driving

messages. For more information on

DSWW or to purchase the $30 tool

kit for your workplace, call 1-888-221-

0045 or visit www.netsnational.org. 

Founded in 1989, NETS is an

employer-led public/private

partnership dedicated to improving

the safety and health of employees,

their family members and members

of the communities in which they

work and live, by reducing the number

of traffic crashes that occur on and

off the job. To accomplish this, NETS

provides employers of all sizes with

effective programs, policies, best

practices and employer-led activities

related to traffic safety, thereby

helping companies to improve

employee relations while reducing

the cost of doing business. ■

DRIVE SAFELY from page 13

Revised Driver’s Hours of Service Regulations

As part of our outreach effort, frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the revised hours-of-service (HOS) for

commercial drivers rules are now on the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA) website. Many

caller inquiries may be answered there. On our homepage, go to the Breaking News column and click on “The

Revised Driver’s Hours of Service Regulations.” At the bottom of the HOS page, you will find the link to the FAQs.

Or, you can go direct to the FAQs at: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/Home_Files/hos/hos_faqs.asp#Q1

VehicleViews

14

GSA plays it safe!

16

U.S. General Services Administration

GSA Office of Governmentwide Policy

Federal Vehicle Policy Division (MTV)

Washington, DC 20405

______________________________________

Official Business

Penalty For Private Use $300

First Class Mail

Postage and Fees Paid

GSA

Permit No. G-30

http://www.gsa.gov

VehicleViews

16

Federal Vehicle

Policy Division

(MTV)

The Federal Vehicle Policy

Division’s mission is to

ensure the effective and

efficient use of the Federal

Government’s 590,000 motor

vehicles and the expenditure of

close to $2 billion annually on fleet

operations through innovative

policies, adoption of best

practices, effective

communication, and leading edge

technologies.

Director

Bill Rivers

(202) 208-7631

Senior Analyst

John (Q) Adams

(202) 208-7631

Senior Analyst

Mike Moses

(202) 501-2507

Connie Aaron

(202) 208-7634

Laurie Feld

(202) 219-1821

Ed Lawler

(202) 501-3354

Jacquie Perry

(202) 501-3347

Stewart Randall

(202) 501-4469

Nate Reed

(501) 482-8904

Please address your questions or comments concerning Vehicle Views to

the editor: Jacquie C. Perry (202) 501-3347 or by e-mail to

Jacquie.Perry@gsa.gov

Graphic Design: Tom Pearlman

GSA Office of Citizen Services and Communications