CEO Message Overview Environment Social Governance Index
Energy Efficiency
Dulles People Mover Retrofits
Dulles International Airport has operated a fleet of passenger transfer vehicles , commonly known as mobile lounges and plane mates , to convey passengers between the main terminal and the midfield terminals since the 1960s . The current fleet of 30 plane mates and 19 mobile lounges last underwent a major overhaul 25 years ago and the engine were last replaced between 2004 and 2006 . As these engines approach 20 years of use , they will run reliable , efficient and environmentally sustainable operations . Most vehicle parts and components are no longer produced , requiring costly customized manufacturing to maintain . A major rehabilitation of the fleet is critical to continued safe , reliable and environmentally sustainable operations .
In 2023 , the Airports Authority approved $ 16 million a complete ground-up re-engineering of one mobile lounge and one plane mate on the existing chassis . The initial pilot is expected to take three years , after which the Airports Authority will decide whether to refurbish the remaining fleet over the subsequent six years . This refurbishment is expected to extend the vehicles ’ useful life for another 20 years .
The passenger transfer vehicles are currently powered by engines that comply with Environmental Protection Agency Tier 2 emission standards . The pilot rehabilitation project will upgrade two of these vehicles to EPA Tier 4 engines , resulting in fuel savings and drastic reductions in visible emissions and other contaminants . The following is a summary of the calculated benefits of upgrading to Tier 4 technology :
NOx
( NOx ): 95 % reductionin tailpipe emissions
Sulfur oxides ( SOx ): 0 – 5 % reduction in tailpipe emissions
Improvement in air quality for employees , passengers and the broader community
Particulate matter : 95 % reduction in tailpipe emissions
Reduction in annual diesel consumption by approximately 5 %, which translates to reductions in CO2 emissions
Reduction in operational costs and frequency of breakdowns
In concert with the Tier 4 engine upgrade demonstration , the Airports Authority will continue to pursue technological and funding opportunities to electrify the passenger transfer vehicles fleet in the future .
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