They are concerned about what’s happening to the planet and what it means for the future. “I think most of the students are aware of what Duke is trying to do,” Valencia said. “In terms of driving it, it’s the same as the other buses, but it’s just very quiet,” Valencia said.ĭuke plans on expanding its use of fully electric buses with the goal of having 14 of them in service by 2027. Valencia has been a regular driver of one of the 40-foot Proterra fully electric buses on the C1 East-West and Swift Express routes. “The bus represents you and how you present yourself,” Valencia said.Īnd since 2021, when Duke began adding fully electric buses to their fleet, Valencia finishes his pre-shift routine by unplugging the bus from its charger.ĭuke now features four fully electric buses in its 26-bus fleet. He also sweeps the floor inside the bus to ensure passengers have a clean place to ride. He walks around the outside of a bus to make sure all lights work, and nothing looks wrong. Jose Valencia has driven buses for Duke Parking & Transportation for 15 years, and he begins each shift with a few standard steps. Green Machinesīus driver Jose Valencia begins each shift by making sure his passengers can enjoy a clean bus. Over the next several years, Duke Parking & Transportation will add to its fleet of fully electric buses. “These trucks allow us to have the equipment that we need to do things safely and efficiently,” Craven said. In the truck bed, there’s also a large tank of water, which is primarily for wildfire response but can also come in handy for rinsing gear. The back half of most of Duke Forest’s trucks are filled compartments for a wide range of equipment, such as chainsaws, climbing gear and first aid kits. But to venture deep into the forest, staff and researchers must use more rugged fire trails – which serve as both fire breaks and ways to get firefighting equipment into remote sections of forest in case of a wildfire. Most of the roads that crisscross the forest are well-maintained gravel roads that see regular use. Duke Forest staff are constantly driving them out into the forest to scout potential research locations, respond to wildfires and tow equipment for maintenance projects such as clearing brush, cleaning roadways and tending to unhealthy trees. Having beefy trucks is a must when it comes to maintaining a sprawling research forest. “The trucks don’t see a lot of miles, but the miles they do see are generally on roads which work them harder than most paved roads,” said Duke Forest Supervisor Tom Craven. Most of the 7,100 acres of Duke Forest are a short drive from campus with the most far-flung corners being about a 45-minute drive away.īut Duke Forest’s fleet of seven pick-up trucks – most being sturdy white Ford F-250s – still get their share of work. The total number of miles that Duke Forest’s modified pick-up trucks travel isn’t all that high. Tom Craven relies on his pick-up truck to navigate Duke Forest's roughly 7,100 acres. And like the people who operate them, many of the vehicles are uniquely well-suited for tasks.ĭuke Forest's Tom Craven fills up the water tank in his truck. Across Duke, 95 different departments own vehicles.Įach vehicle helps Duke staff and faculty members their job. “It’s a pretty cool to see.”Īccording to recent data compiled by Duke Parking & Transportation, Duke University and Duke University Health System have roughly 725 active vehicles, ranging from sedans to Segways. “Sometimes you’ll see kids and families walk by, and they’ll stop and just gaze up at the truck,” Sanford said. Nearly every day, Sanford hoists himself high above campus to repair streetlights, hang banners or, on occasion, help photographers snap unforgettable group photos. Known as a bucket truck, the modified Ford F-550 has a massive 45-foot long mechanical arm with a bucket at the end big enough for Sanford to crawl into. Stephen Schramm Senior Writer Tags HR Staff Facilities Parking and Transportation Duke Police Engineeringįor most of his 31 years with Duke Facilities Management, High Voltage Electrician Specialist Steve Sanford has worked with Duke’s aerial lift truck.
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