At first glance, transportation issues may not appear to be pertinent to the
day-to-day operations of a lodging facility. However, this could not be further from
the truth. Guests, staff, suppliers, vendors and contractors all use some type of
transportation to arrive at their destination and during their stay. During these
travels, not only are vital natural resources consumed, but numerous air pollutants
are released into the air during each mile that is traveled. Many visitors to Florida
arrive by automobile or use some form of automobile transportation during their
trip, whether it is a day trip to the beach or to drive from one location to another
in our beautiful state. On an average day, more than 44,000 automobiles enter Florida
just through the I-95 and I-75 corridors.
Air toxics, greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are all areas
of concern when discussing transportation-related issues. According the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), transportation sources accounted for roughly
29 percent of the total greenhouse gas emissions in 2006. Further, transportation
sources are the fastest growing segment of GHG emissions in the U.S., accounting for
47 percent of the net increase since 1990. CO2 emissions from transportation are the
largest component of GHG emissions. Examples of the general type of air toxics that
are directly related to transportation include carbon monoxide, various
hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. These emissions are the
byproducts of fuel combustion and evaporation.
Transportation emissions not only hurt the environment but also impact human
health. The health effects from transportation emissions can include problems such
as increased lung damage, aggravation of existing conditions like asthma and can
possibly contribute to a higher risk of developing cancers.
It is important to find ways to reduce the impact of transportation emissions in
both our personal and professional lives. The following Best Management Practices
(BMPs) highlight some ways to reduce these impacts.
Develop policies outlining the facility’s commitment to reduce
The transportation policy or policies should include current areas of concern,
specific action-based goals and a detailed plan of achieving success. Also, the
policy should include topics championing ways employees can make a difference at
Purchase company vehicles and equipment that are hybrid-electric, run on
biodiesel, ethanol (E85) or other non-petroleum based products.
Moving toward a more sustainable transportation fleet will not only reduce the total
emissions and related effects, it can also decrease costs.
Encourage guests and staff to walk, bus, car pool and bicycle to and from
Promote ways guests and staff can assist in reducing the facility’s transportation
footprint by posting bus schedules, providing reduced-rate transit passes and
distributing maps of pedestrian and bicycle friendly routes. Carpooling ideas should
be discussed and encouraged in staff meetings. Rewards can be given to employees
that actively participate in carpooling, i.e. special parking places for carpool
vehicles only, public recognition, etc.
Promote use of shuttle services instead of individual taxis cabs for
Using shuttle services can lead to reduced pollution, increased guest satisfaction
and a lower vehicle count on your property.
Provide bicycles for guest use/rental.
Bicycles can be offered as an extra amenity or can be rented to generate income.
Promote the use of bicycles for short trips through town or to nearby locations. The
benefits include decreased emissions, increased guest satisfaction and possibly
extra revenue generation.
Provide incentives for fuel-efficient transportation options.
Provide preferred parking spaces or free valet services to guests and employees that
use hybrid-electric, biodiesel, E85, electric or other energy efficient vehicles.
Providing preferred parking services rewards guests and employees for driving
fuel-efficient transportation. It also publicizes to others that these individuals
and the facility have made a commitment to environmental protection.
Offer guests and employees information about reducing or offsetting their
transportation and carbon-based emissions.
Provide guests and employees information on ways to reduce the carbon footprint.
Publicize creative ways that other guests and employees have reduced their
footprint. Include ideas such as participating in National Arbor Day, carpooling,
purchasing green tags or carbon sequestration techniques.
Find innovative ways for the facility to offset any carbon emissions.
Work toward becoming climate and carbon neutral.
Demonstrating carbon and climate neutrality is one of the leading ways to show
environmental commitment. Neutrality can lead to increased publicity, exposure and
marketing opportunities while reducing environmental degradation. To become carbon
and climate neutral, a facility must either reduce emissions which have been linked
to global climate change or purchase carbon credits and green tags. Carbon credits
and green tags can be purchased through a variety of not-for-profit organizations
dealing with reforestation and renewable energy issues.
Enact a no-idling policy on facility property. Convey policy to guests,
employees, suppliers, vendors and contractors.
Idling transportation equipment not only wastes fuel, contributes to increased air
emissions but also raises the ambient temperature around the facility and inside
covered areas. Many states have enacted maximum time limits that commercial vehicles
are allowed to remain at idle. Post copies of the no-idling policy in heavy traffic
areas and loading zones. Provide vendors, suppliers and package delivery operators
with written copies.