LAX Ground Transportation Manager Says Innovative Programs Reduces Traffic Congestion, Air Emissions at Airport Air Quality 2000 Symposium

(San Diego, California – February 17, 2000) Focusing on innovative programs at Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), an airport transportation manager today told an audience of airport environmental managers and planners from across the U.S. and overseas that initiatives to improve ground transportation operations can help reduce both air emissions and traffic congestion in and around airports.

Judy Christian, LAX transportation manager, spoke on a panel addressing environmental impacts of ground vehicle operations before the Airport Air Quality 2000 Symposium, an annual conference that addresses environmental impacts of airport operations.

She reported that, on average, more than 75,000 passenger vehicles enter LAX’s Central Terminal Area daily and that airport operations rely heavily on a wide range of ground vehicles. Such vehicles are used in aircraft maintenance, fuel delivery, catering, cargo and mail delivery, passenger and employee transportation, baggage handling, and hotel/parking/rental car courtesy services.

Christian said that together, passenger and ground support vehicles generate more than 50 percent of the air emissions at LAX. To address this concern, Los Angeles World Airports has instituted a variety of award-winning, clean-air programs at LAX and the other three airports the Los Angeles City department owns and operates (Ontario International, Van Nuys, and Palmdale Regional Airports).

"Los Angeles World Airports is noteworthy for its comprehensive approach to implementing control measures that address vehicle emissions," said Geoffrey D. Gosling, Ph.D., Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California at Berkeley, who organized the panel. "The air quality programs at LAX exemplify the kind of effort that is needed to offset increases in aircraft emissions, which are beyond the control of individual airports."

Among the LAWA initiatives Christian highlighted were:

• On-going conversion of airport ground fleet to vehicles powered by clean-burning fuels, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), compressed natural gas (CNG), and electricity. Today, 35 percent of LAX’s fleet vehicles operate on alternative fuels. By 2003, LAWA plans to increase this number to 50 percent.
• Restructured door-to-door van management program, which now requires authorized van operators to phase-in alternative-fuel vehicles over a 42-month period and discourages van operators from re-circuiting the Central Terminal Area by charging higher per-circuit fees
• Voluntary employee rideshare and carpool programs, which boast a 41 percent participation rate – nearly four times the national average.
• Current development of an Intelligent Transportation System and Traffic Management Center at LAX, which uses advanced traffic monitoring and messaging systems to respond to, and reduce congestion. This program will link with similar ITS systems to be installed in other South Bay areas.

"Los Angeles World Airports’ early commitment to, and experience with technologies like alternative-fuel vehicles have enabled us to make real progress in improving air quality today. They also provide us with a strong foundation for further advances," said Chritian. "We are proud that we can share some of the clean-air strategies that have proven effective at our airports with our counterparts in the airport industry."

Among the honors LAWA has received for its air quality programs are Clean Air Awards from the Coalition for Clean Air and the South Coast Air Quality Management District; Clean Cities Certificate for participation in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Program; and a Certificate of Achievement from the California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition for distinguished achievement in natural gas vehicle fleet operations.