A Brand New Alternative Fuels Data Center

From the Fall 2012 issue of Clean Cites NOW.

The Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) is making it easier than ever to cut petroleum use, vehicle emissions, and operating costs. The U.S. Department of Energy's online transportation clearinghouse underwent a substantial redesign that debuted in July, providing an enhanced online experience for those involved in the deployment of alternative fuels, advanced vehicles, and fuel economy improvements.

Originally developed in response to the Alternative Motor Fuels Act of 1988, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) launched the AFDC in 1991 as a repository for alternative fuel vehicle performance data. Since that time, the site has evolved to become an indispensible resource for fleets, fuel providers, policymakers, Clean Cities coalitions, and others working to reduce petroleum use in transportation.

The site receives more than 1.3 million visits per year. Even the most trusted institutions must move with the times, though, and the AFDC is no exception.

"We wanted to take everything that people find so useful about the AFDC and deliver it in new ways that take advantage of all the capabilities and technological innovations the Web has to offer today," said AFDC manager Trish Cozart of NREL.

The redesign process began with extensive research into the needs of fleet managers, who serve on the front lines of alternative fuels deployment. Through focus groups, usability tests, and interviews, Cozart and her colleagues developed an architecture for the site that would allow users to find the information they need most quickly and easily. Researchers and deployment experts conducted thorough updates to the site's existing technical content, and software developers revamped existing tools and developed new ones.

"The new AFDC represents a year's worth of thoughtful planning, creativity, and innovation by dozens of members of the Clean Cities and AFDC teams, and I am confident it will prove to be an even more valuable resource to the thousands of transportation decision makers who turn to it for assistance in their efforts to reduce petroleum use," National Clean Cities Director Dennis Smith said.

"This site makes it so simple for me to find exactly what I need. I can easily pull up fuel use statistics and pricing, look at vehicle deployment trends, and download charts into my presentations."
Kellie Walsh, Coordinator,
Greater Indiana Clean Cities Coalition

A brand new feature on the AFDC is a large collection of case studies in alternative transportation deployment, in both written and video formats (www.afdc.energy.gov/case).

"These stories serve as road maps for fleets and drivers, so they can learn how others overcame barriers and found success," Cozart said. "Users can find real-life examples of fleets that run on biodiesel, cities that have developed electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and school districts that power their buses with propane."

This homepage feature introduces new users to the strategies, fuels, and technologies they can use to reduce petroleum use. It also points to key tools and information throughout the AFDC. Check it out at www.afdc.energy.gov/feature_ten.html.

Responsive Web Design: The new AFDC is viewable not only from a personal computer, but also on all manner of devices and browsers, including tablets, e-readers, and smart phones. The site automatically adjusts to the device you're using.

The Alternative Fueling Station Locator (www.afdc.energy.gov/stations) has always been one of the AFDC's most popular tools. Now even easier to use, this application allows drivers and fleet managers to find stations that offer electric vehicle charging, E85, biodiesel, natural gas, propane, and hydrogen. Users can sort by fuel, find all stations near a given location, and map routes with stations identified along the way. The tool also provides station counts for individual states and the nation as a whole.

"The Station Locator makes it a breeze for EV drivers who are looking for charging stations, or for fleet drivers who need to fill up with an alternative fuel like natural gas," said software engineer Witt Sparks of NREL. "This tool, and the AFDC as whole, functions as a massive information hub, enabling thousands of players and parts of the transportation system to interact with one another."