Amtrak 2009 Annual Report Download - page 9

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2009 Environmental Health & Safety Report
7
Environmental
The Amtrak Fuel and Energy Management Committee also undertook a number of projects
in 2009 aimed at reducing fuel and energy use. These included:
• Implementation of a fuel sensor system to monitor locomotive diesel fuel levels in
real time.
• Development of a model for diesel fuel use and price.
• Monitoring facility energy audits.
• Review of the fuel-use process through a workshop on fueling logistics, the
procurement process and direct fueling logistics (truck to locomotive).
• Additional fuel conservation efforts included a “Golden Run” fuel optimizer
program for engineers by route; purchase and deployment of locomotive simulators
for engineer training; reductions in power braking by locomotives; evaluation and
revision of train handling procedures to possibly “isolate” lead locomotives after
reaching track speed.
Recycling
Onboard trains: In FY ‘09, Amtrak completed a
campaign to provide a recycling receptacle on all
food service cars throughout the Amtrak system.
Working with onboard service personnel to address
usability and safety issues, the Mechanical Design
group designed new recycling containers with roll-
out bins to be installed aboard all 20 Acela train
sets in 2010. Recycling services were expanded at
Amtrak stations and other trash stops to serve the
onboard program. Onboard Services group worked
with a multi-departmental Recycling Committee to
develop a communications campaign that included
conductor announcements, posters, signage and “Amtrak Recycles” lapel pins for onboard
personnel. A question and answer bulletin was developed to help onboard and station
personnel answer questions from passengers.
In offices and at stations: Amtrak is working to expand
the number of locations recycling non-industrial materials
and managing the recyclable materials from the onboard
program, including paper, bottles and cans.
At facilities: Recycling of industrial materials from
mechanical shops and other facilities has been active for
many years. In 2009, recycling of industrial materials
generated in the shops was expanded to include additional materials such as mattress foam
and carpeting. Recycling of steel parts, scrap steel, used oil and other industrial materials
also increased. Amounts of these materials recycled are tracked by Materials Management
and reported in the EHS Annual Report (see Metrics section).