Landside Transportation Options
How our customers and employees get to and from the airports is an area that we can influence to varying degrees . We currently mandate that rental car companies offer EVs and HEVs to ensure that our customers have access to the types of vehicles they prefer . In addition , elsewhere in the Sustainability Plan , we discuss our successful partnership with WMATA and the 4 million people using Metrorail to access Reagan National each year and how we intend to replicate that success when Metrorail arrives at Dulles International in 2021 . Also discussed was the EV charging infrastructure that is available to our customers and soon to our employees and car service companies . Finally , we have also made great strides eliminating unnecessary idling at our toll booths along the DTR and our goal of getting as close to 100 % EZ pass usage and / or open road tolling as we can over time from our current levels of approximately 93 %.
However , there is more we can do when it comes to creating more sustainable access options for our airports . For example , as it relates to taxis and car sharing services , we intend to learn from other airports experiencing similar issues by examining :
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Preferential fees and other advantages ( i . e ., “ first in line ”) for drop off and pick up for electric and other high-MPG vehicles
Strategies to reduce idling , circling , and curbside congestion including the use of advanced technology to optimize traffic patterns
Preferential support of electrification of taxis , livery vehicles , and transportation network companies
We also intend to begin conversations with hotels and others operating courtesy shuttles and buses to encourage the adoption of EVs for these services as well as identify any opportunities for shared shuttle services . As with transportation network companies and taxis , we will evaluate multiple strategies to encourage electric and other alternative fuel vehicle use over traditional diesel and gas-powered vehicles .
Summary
Through the continuation of existing activities such as the use of ground power and PCA , electrification of GSE , installation of EV charging stations , the launch of a new strategic initiative related to the electrification of our iconic PTVs , and emulation of best practice opportunities used by peer airports across the country , our goal is to materially reduce the use of petroleum-based fuels across all of the Authority ’ s facilities over time . We intend to leverage our internal expertise , third-party technical assistance , and outside financial support to pursue electrification-based strategies across all our transportation systems in a smart and cost-effective manner . As we reduce our petroleum fuel consumption over time , as co-benefits , we will also be limiting our impact on the natural environment , improving local air quality , reducing GHG emissions , and contributing to the resilience our operations through fuel diversification . Longer term , we expect electrification options to emerge for air travel itself . In collaboration with our airline partners , we intend to be ready for such a future as well .
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