Use of biodiesel in a transit fleet: a synthesis of transit practice
The use of biodiesel, made primarily from soybeans and other organic products, merits serious consideration as an alternative fuel. As dependency on foreign oil escalates, use of any energy source that is both renewable and made domestically deser ves further investigation. Biodiesel also provides a positive environmental effect, has no real handling or infrastructure considerations, mixes well with diesel, is safe to use, and in some cases is less costly to operate than diesel alone. Nevertheless, successful implementation of biodiesel requires agencies to improve their understanding of how the fuel differs from diesel and the various steps needed to avoid problems resulting from those differences. This synthesis provides readers with the full range of biodiesel benefits and the potential downsides, and offers recommendations for effectively managing the successful implementation of biodiesel. Once the subject is fully understood, agencies can make an informed decision regarding its use.