Switching from steel to aluminum wheels will help Yale's shuttle bus fleet save on fuel and reduce emissions.
In support of Yale University's campus-wide sustainability initiative, Alcoa has donated 130 of its lightweight, environmentally-friendly Dura-Bright aluminum wheels for use on campus transit vehicles. Yale will study and report to Alcoa on the environmental effects of the wheels as part of its commitment to using its campus as a living laboratory for sustainability research.
The conversion of Yale's shuttle buses and vans from current steel wheels to Alcoa aluminum Dura-Bright wheels is expected to save the fleet of 30 vehicles nearly 1,000 gallons of fuel and reduce CO2 output by 10 metric tons per year. In addition, the no-polish, easy-rinse Dura-Bright wheels will help Yale save on fleet maintenance costs.
Installation of the new wheels began this summer and will continue over the course of the next 18 months. Alcoa Foundation has also donated funds to cover environmentally sensitive disposal of the existing steel wheels.
Building on a long history of research and engagement with environmental issues, Yale established a dedicated Office of Sustainability in 2005. Soon after, University President Richard Levin committed to reducing Yale's greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent below 2005 levels by the year 2020.
In addition to improving the campus transit fleet, strategies include a combination of increasing the efficiency of on-campus energy production and distribution, energy conservation, on-site renewable energy resources, and sustainable standards for new construction and large renovations.