The U.S. Dept. of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory recently completed a yearlong of gasoline hybrid electric (gHEV) trucks compared with conventional diesel vehicles that showed the trucks produced substantially reduced tailpipe emissions during all drive cycles tested in the laboratory when compared to conventional diesel vehicles. On a drive cycle representing routes with frequent stops and accelerations, the gHEV trucks exhibited a 20% improvement in fuel economy while drive cycles representing routes with fewer stops and accelerations demonstrated similar fuel economy to the diesels. NREL’s Fleet Test and Evaluation Team collected and analyzed fuel economy, maintenance and other vehicle
More than 500 building projects have certified through the LEED Volume Program since the pilot launched in 2006, according to the U.S. Green Building Council. The LEED Volume Program streamlines the certification process for high-volume property owners and managers, from commercial real estate firms, national retailers and hospitality providers, to local, state and federal governments. Utilizing a prototype-based approach, the program enables large-scale organizational builders and operators to deliver a consistent end product, earning LEED certification faster and at a lower cost than would be possible with individual building reviews. The certification program was designed to meet industry needs for
The U.S. Green Building Council recently released its 2010 list of top 10 states for LEED-certified commercial and institutional green buildings per capita, based on the U.S. 2010 Census Bureau information. Colorado made the list, coming in at No. 10. The District of Columbia leads the nation, with 25 sq ft of LEED-certified space per person in 2010, with Nevada being the leading state, at 10.92 sq ft per person in 2010. Other top states include New Mexico, New Hampshire and Oregon with more than 6 and 4 sq ft of LEED-certified space per person, respectively. “Using per capita versus
Southern Nevada�s Nellis Air Force Base is trimming construction costs of a new child development center by nearly 4% by using a unique aerated plastic-riser foundation system. Graphic: Courtesy USAF Cobblestone Construction, Las Vegas, broke ground on the $7.2-million design-build project in August 2010 and later discovered that the six-acre site along the northwest edge of the base was contaminated with radon. The 26,000-sq-ft block building consequently required a gas ventilation system, which typically comprises a vapor barrier consisting of a membrane of washed rocks and liquid as well as perforated pipe and fans. Wright Engineers, Las Vegas, proposed a
Even with all the new high-tech safety equipment and more access to quality safety training programs than ever before, hundreds of workers continue to be injured every year. The good news is that any size contractor can have an effective injury management plan (IMP) in place to handle non-critical injuries and keep costs to a minimum while raising employee morale. The Start-Up After a project is awarded and before you start work, locate an urgent-care facility (UCF). Location is an important factor, but not the most important. Consider evaluating a UCF like you would a subcontractor or vendor: What services
The increased pace of merger and acquisition activity late in 2010, including some huge deals, suggests that 2011 will be an active year. Low interest rates, significant cash on many firms� balance sheets, and stock prices that are low enough to attract buyers but high enough to move sellers off the sidelines all reinforce that possibility. Decisions on acquisitions are always a challenge. There is extensive literature that documents the too-high percentage of failed combinations, ones that failed to reward shareholders with a positive return on their investment. Yet most firms are motivated to consider acquisitions as an element of
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig of Centennial is a finalist in the American Council of Engineering Cos.� 45th Annual Engineering Excellence Awards competition for the 6th Avenue Waste Tire Noise Wall Project in Lakewood. FHU�s reuse of a waste product addressed the problem of limited landfill space and the demand for effective barriers to insulate neighborhoods from traffic noise. Although several wall products with recycled-tire content are already in use across the country, these systems were deemed too large for the project site. The project team then turned to Tire-Tie, a recycled tire product mainly used for railroad applications. By stacking
The prices contractors must pay for many essential construction materials continued to increase in January, even as the amount they charge for completed projects remains flat, according to an analysis of January producer price index figures recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the price trends are cutting into already tight bottom lines for contractors, undermining chances for an industry-wide recovery in 2011. “The last thing contractors need after two years of depression-like conditions is to pay more to make less,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “With margins continuing to shrink, few
Students will be able to skip the university experience altogether and go straight into the workforce after attaining an education from an innovative new school being constructed in Glendale, Ariz. Image courtesy DLR Group A new aviation maintenance school in Arizona will help students proceed directly to the workforce by utilizing hands-on curriculum. The Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC) Aviation Technology Program will allow high school students and adults to partake in two years of training in aircraft maintenance. They will be separate programs, but following the same curriculum. �We will have approximately 100 juniors and seniors [at a time],�
The value of new construction starts retreated 6% in January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $423.4 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Cos. The decline came as the result of a pullback for nonresidential building after a strong December, combined with a loss of momentum for residential building. At the same time, the nonbuilding construction sector showed further growth in January on top of its elevated December pace, aided by several large public works projects. On an unadjusted basis, total construction starts in January were reported at $28.4 billion, down 4% from the same
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