Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Utilities Department

TO:	Dave Corliss
FROM:	Philip Ciesielski
CC:	Debbie Van Saun Dave Wagner Chris Stewart Steve Stewart Jim Stuit
Date:	August 3, 2006
RE:	Utility Department Project Inspector – Vehicle Recommendation

Per your request the Utilities and Public Works Departments have evaluated vehicle options for the new Utilities Department Project Inspector positions outside the currently standard ¾ ton truck with a utility body. The following is a summary of this evaluation and vehicle recommendation for the new Utility Department Project Inspector positions.

The standard vehicle used for Utility Department Project Inspectors in the past has been a ¾ ton truck with a utility body. The most important reasons for this vehicle option have been the secure carrying capacity for tools and test equipment required to complete construction inspections at the job sight (see attached tool list), and the ability to access the sites in a variety of weather conditions.

The truck manufacturers chose several years ago to down grade the brakes and suspension packages on ½ ton pickups. The reasoning for this was that the majority of individuals were using these trucks as passenger vehicles and not for hauling heavy loads in the bed. Because of this type of use, with little to no load in the bed, the accident rate increased due to rear brake lock up and loss of control. With the down grading of the brake and suspension systems to accommodate the lighter use the installation of a tool carrying utility body is no longer allowed on ½ ton trucks. As a result all work trucks with utility beds have been upgraded to ¾ ton units. Improvements in the brake and suspension system designs on some of the current compact pickups (Dodge Dakota, Chevrolet Colorado, and Ford Ranger) allow the installation of tool carrying utility bodies on these chassis’s.

In an effort to move to more efficient and economical vehicles Public Works and Utilities have evaluated several vehicle options for the new Utility Department Project Inspectors. The evaluation considered the Inspector’s work tasks and required job related equipment job site conditions, work flow efficiency, vehicle fuel efficiency and cost. Based on this evaluation the recommended vehicle alternative is a 4 wheel drive compact pickup with a utility bed and ladder rack.

The compact sized pickup with the utility bed installed will allow for the secure and weather proof transport of the Inspector’s required tools and equipment. The additional installation of a ladder rack will allow the continued transport of long valve turning tools on these smaller, more fuel efficient, trucks. After the installation of the utility bed, and outfitting with tools and equipment, the compact 4 wheel drive trucks have sufficient remaining load capacity to carry the a valve or hydrant to a job site. The Inspector’s typically carry all the tools and equipment required for all facets of their job to eliminate time and resources lost running back to the office to pick them up as needed.

The requirement that the trucks be equipped with 4 wheel drive is driven by the nature of the job site at the time the sanitary sewer and water lines are being constructed. The sanitary sewer lines are typically the first infrastructure to be installed within a new development and the waterlines are constructed in conjunction with or immediately prior to the roadways. The Inspectors are required to access the unimproved work sites in all weather conditions to oversee the work of the developer’s construction contractors. In addition many of the equipment items used during their work day are not easily transported by foot to the remote areas of a new development.

The goal of the Utility Department is to have each Inspector trained to inspect, and test, both sanitary sewer and waterline installations in each development. While this will require each Inspector to be outfitted with the tools and equipment related to both utilities, it will reduce the number of trips generated should separate staff be required to visit the same site for the inspection of the sanitary sewer and waterlines. Another benefit is that each Inspector will be able to cover for anyone of the others to accommodate vacation, sick leave and other scheduling issues.

The fuel mileage of the compact 4 wheel drive trucks is significantly better than the currently ¾ ton trucks. Similar units in the fleet are averaging 15.85 miles per gallon as compared to 9.25 miles per gallon for the ¾ ton trucks. Accompany this efficiency with the reduction in trips noted above and benefit of this vehicle selection is enhanced.

The initial cost for the compact 4 wheel drive trucks equipped with the utility bed and ladder rack also represents a savings over the current equipment and is similar to the cost of a compact hybrid sedan.

- Ford Ranger ext cab 4x4 with utility bed/ladder rack - $22,211.00

- Ford ¾ ton 4x4 pickup with utility bed - $26,500.00

These prices are off the Metro bid 2006.

Further evaluation of other inspector positions within the City and their work requirements may result in future recommendations to purchase sedans or other vehicles instead of pickups. Additional evaluation may also indicate that some supervisors would be better served by sedans than pickups. However, some of the inspectors and supervisors will continue to require pickup trucks to efficiently perform their jobs. Each vehicle purchase should be evaluated based on the position’s job requirements and work environment. Where applicable the vehicle should be down sized similar to the currently recommended utility inspectors vehicles.

For future reference the following represent some alternatives for future vehicle purchases.

- The Toyota Prius and Honda Civic hybrid would function well as inspector vehicles and carry additional personnel when needed.

- The Ford Fusion and Chevy Malibu would also serve well as staff, supervisor, or inspector vehicles.

- The smaller Ford Focus and Chevrolet Cobalt are also options, but this type and size vehicle have not faired well in our fleet applications in the past. The general lack of room, carrying capacity, and ride were also accompanied by higher maintenance costs.

Manufacturer	Model	Fuel	EPA/ Actual MPG	Cost
Toyota	Prius	Gasoline/electric	60 / 42 city	$22,305.00
Honda	Civic	Gasoline/electric	51/ 44 city	$22,700.00
Ford	Fusion	Gasoline/ E-85	24/ 18 city	$21,581.00
Chevrolet	Malibu	Gasoline/ E-85	24/ 18 city	$23,090.00
Ford	Focus	Gasoline	26	$14,322.00**
Chevrolet	Cobalt	Gasoline	23	$13,590.00 **

** Manual Transmission

All prices Kelley Blue Book.

Based on this evaluation the Utilities Department is requesting authorization to advertise for bids for 2 each compact, 4 wheel drive, pickup trucks equipped with utility beds and ladder racks. These vehicles will be assigned to the 2 new Utilities Department Project Inspectors.