Hybrid Fleet and Biofuels

To reduce emissions, Miami-Dade County's General Services Administration only purchases hybrid sedans when operationally feasible.  The County  has the third largest public hybrid fleet in the nation, behind New York City and California according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Miami-Dade County owns 457 hybrids, approximately 10% of the fleet.  These hybrids result  in annual cost savings of $202,000, annual fuel reductions of 27,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline, and annual reductions of carbon dioxide equivalents in the amount of 270 tons.  Fuel efficiency is now incorporated into vehicle bids and purchase evaluations.

Miami-Dade Transit provides safe, reliable, efficient, and accessible public transportation on more than 100 bus routes and 22 miles of rapid transit.  Riding mass transit is one of the primary ways that community members can help reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and lessen traffic congestion. The County is building a new Metrorail corridor to the airport and projects are also underway to extend Metrorail north to the County line and west to Florida International University.

• MDT has purchased 25 diesel/electric hybrid buses and is planning to purchase an additional 14 hybrid buses in 2009. Diesel/electric hybrid buses are expected to improve fuel efficiency, vehicle performance and durability, and emissions.
  
  
• In addition, Miami-Dade Transit has tested buses with different types of biodiesel.  Expecting favorable test results, Miami-Dade Transit plans to begin using biodiesel in select buses by slowly increase the percentage of biodiesel until a blend of 20% biodiesel is reached.
  

See:

• Expanding our Green Fleet
• Fuel crop study and "Green Fleet"
• Watch Green Scene to get the eco-scoop on biofuels

Public Works - Solar Powered Flashing Beacons

The Public Works Department will be procuring solar powered flashing signals at pedestrian crosswalks.  The new signals utilize high efficiency Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology and are controlled through a radio transmitter, thereby eliminating the need to install costly cables underground.