Introducing a travel hierarchy, pushbikes and telematics

Organisation: Northamptonshire Police
Fleet size: 400
Head of transport and travel: Graham Crow

Northamptonshire Police created a dedicated transport and travel department and introduced a travel hierarchy after an Energy Saving Trust fleet audit in 2009.

At the top of the hierarchy, the preferred option is video and audio conferencing rather than the travelling; at the bottom lies the grey fleet.

The fleet hierarchy has already notched up significant results: grey fleet miles have been reduced and the use of pool cars increased.

The police force has set carbon reduction targets up to 2020 and these are reviewed bi-annually.

The force has also invested in telematics to monitor driver identity, resource management and driver behaviour, as well as improving the management of vehicle servicing and utilisation.

Travel by bike is actively encouraged: Northamptonshire Police has purchased pedal cycles for patrolling and general use and a contract is in place for their maintenance.

The results speak for themselves. £300,000 has been saved to re-invest into other carbon reduction services and a reduction of 150 tonnes of CO2 in fleet emissions has been achieved.

Reducing the van fleet, implementing routing software and driver training

Organisation: Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust
Fleet size: 46
Head of facilities and environment manager: Scott Jones  

In 2011 when the Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust was formed, it had an inefficient fleet of vehicles, travelling more miles than necessary.

Its fleet of vans, couriers, taxis and staff-owned cars travelled 1.6 million miles a year, producing a carbon footprint of more than 540 tonnes.

The trust implemented a range of measures and policies across the fleet.

The van fleet has reduced from 41 to 28 low emission vehicles, all fitted with intelligent routing software which provides data on the vehicles’ mileage and performance.

Staff have also received training in fuel efficient driving techniques which has engaged them in the changes being made.

Duplicate routes have been addressed and the number of suppliers of transport services has been reduced from 11 to just one.

All of this has been supported by an effective communications plan.

As a result, the trust has cut its mileage by a third to just over one million miles and, together with other carbon reduction initiatives, it has reduced its carbon footprint by 47%.