WSDOT’s Fleet and Equipment Operations, also known as the Transportation Equipment Fund (TEF), is an industry leader in efficient and sustainable fleet management.
Government Fleet magazine recognized the TEF for the third consecutive year as one of the nation's most sustainable public agency fleets, presenting WSDOT with a
2011 Green Fleet Award.
In addition to a variety maintenance and work vehicles, WSDOT's fleet includes fuel-efficient hybrid passenger cars for conducting business and autopropane-fueled pickup trucks and SUVs for incident response and other field work.
The fleet includes 4,800 vehicles and 10,000 pieces of supporting equipment. TEF conserves fuel and reduces fleet emissions by operating and maintaining fleet vehicles and equipment for efficiency. The agency saves more than 14,500 gallons of motor oil each year through effective maintenance that are scheduled by fuel usage rather than time. TEF also installs gear-shift lights in heavy trucks that let drivers know when it’s the best time to shift gears for the most efficient fuel use and best vehicle performance.
For fiscal years 2008 to 2010 WSDOT:
- Reduced fuel consumption by 10 percent (by 2.5 percent in 2011, due to added roadwork from a prolonged winter)
- Used 50 percent more biofuel (80 percent in 2011)
- Purchased 43 percent more hybrid vehicles
- Cut passenger-vehicle inventory by 9 percent
- Reduced employee-owned vehicle miles travelled for work by 27 percent (34 percent in 2011)
- Drafted sustainability plan to minimize emissions, cut fuel consumption and make the fleet even more efficient
TEF is a non-appropriated program responsible for the acquisition, asset management, upkeep, logistical support and disposal of the agency’s wide variety of vehicles and support equipment; including the agency's wireless communications equipment.
The program provides full logistic support for its inventory through 35 equipment repair facilities and 130 fuel stations throughout the state. The fuel infrastructure also fully supports the Washington State Patrol. Vehicle repairs and fuel are provided to other governmental entities on request and on a fee basis.