WestStart-CALSTART Assists Point Reyes, Mount Rainier National Parks With Clean Transportation.

Business & News Editors/Environment Writers

PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 25, 2000

Programs Include Using Alternative Fuel Vehicles in Park Fleets,

Shuttle Services, Creating Support Infrastructure, Public

Education Programs

WestStart-CALSTART joins the efforts of two western state national parks to add alternative fuel vehicles and clean transportation options into their park fleets and shuttle operations. Point Reyes National Seashore in northern California and Mount Rainier National Park in Washington have entered into agreements for WestStart-CALSTART to perform alternative fuel vehicle studies and create alternative fuel vehicle implementation plans, as well as public education programs on the use of clean fuel vehicles at the parks. Clean fuels being considered in the parks are electric, hybrid-electric, natural gas, propane and other alternatives to gasoline and diesel. Both of these national park projects are funded through grants from the Federal Transit Administration.

At Point Reyes National Seashore, WestStart-CALSTART is assisting the park in evaluating options for the winter shuttle system used by visitors to view the annual gray whale migration along the California coastline. WestStart-CALSTART is reviewing the existing shuttle bus program at Point Reyes and assessing efficiency improvements and clean fuel vehicle options. In addition, WestStart-CALSTART is examining the current fleet of vehicles for conversion to clean fuels and the associated infrastructure requirements. Finally, WestStart-CALSTART is providing assistance to Point Reyes as it participates in meetings regarding the Marin County Inter-Modal Bus Transit Master Plan. WestStart-CALSTART will interface with the county on behalf of Point Reyes and bring its transportation expertise to the planning process. Point Reyes' efforts to reduce transportation emissions are part of a larger plan to mitigate environmental impacts at the National Seashore.

Already using alternative fuel vehicles in some fleet applications, Mount Rainier National Park is asking WestStart-CALSTART to analyze the park's inventory of fleet vehicles and vehicle duty requirements in an effort to develop a more comprehensive and coordinated plan for these vehicles in the park. Also being assessed are alternative fuel options for transit within the park as well as developing a transit link between the park and the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area. Mt. Rainier also may become a testbed for new vehicle technologies as WestStart-CALSTART works with the park and industry partners to identify potential opportunities for alternative fuel vehicle demonstration programs.

These efforts come at a time when Mount Rainier is currently updating its General Management Plan, which will set the course for park management for the next 20 years. The Plan is exploring ways to reduce vehicle congestion on its roads and parking areas to not only improve the visitor experience, but to also improve general air quality. Converting the park's fleet of vehicles and heavy equipment to clean, alternative fuels helps achieve this goal.

Finally, Mount Rainier is working with WestStart-CALSTART to design and develop a public education program about the use of alternative fuel vehicles in the park to help visitors understand the parks transportation challenges and vision in addressing air quality issues.

WestStart-CALSTART is an advanced transportation technologies consortium that focuses on developing new, clean technologies and solutions in transportation. Working with private partners worldwide, WestStart-CALSTART provides technology development and demonstration, market analysis, and fleet implementation services. Its expertise includes electric vehicles, natural gas vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, intelligent transportation systems (ITS), mobility services and fuel cell technologies.