University Times

The Office of Parking and Transportation Services was awarded a 1998 Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence Sept. 22 in the category of Technology Innovation. Pitt operates 20 natural gas powered commuter vans in its community ridesharing program.

John Morgan, assistant director for transportation, said, "With expanded funding, we hope to further reduce the number of vehicles and get some others into alternative fuels with low or zero emission." According to Parking and Transportation, 125,000 vehicles pass through Oakland daily. As a result of the ridesharing effort, approximately 230 fewer private automobiles come into Oakland each day, creating a yearly savings of 80,000 gallons of gasoline and a corresponding reduction of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides.

The natural gas vehicles also were used by Pitt's School of Engineering to conduct a research program evaluating the operation of a fleet of vehicles on alternative fuel. A portable on-board mass emissions monitoring system was invented and calibrated, with assistance from a commercial stationary emissions measurement station. Data were collected over two years on fuel usage, oil properties, and maintenance and performance of the vehicles.The data document the reduced emissions and gasoline use. n w; Kevin Deasy, instructor in law and director of legal research and writing; Kathryn Heidt, professor of law; Angelique Hudec, of the school's student affairs staff; Sandra Jordan, associate professor of law; Marvin Lieber (law '58), partner at Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell and Hippel, Pitt trustee and member of the law school's board of visitors; Jules Lobel, professor of law; Alan Meisel, the Dickie, McCamey and Chilcote Professor of Bioethics and professor of law and psychiatry; Winston Thompson, law student; and Welsh White, professor of law. Joan Cutone of the provost's office will provide staff support.

Provost James Maher said, "We are seeking an individual with creative and effective leadership abilities to ensure that the School of Law assumes a central role in enhancing the overall quality of the University."