Program Partners:

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Green Coach Certification Overview Fact Sheet


Green Coach Certification Participant Comparison Fact Sheet


Green Coach Certification Motorcoach Operator Survey Fact Sheet


Green Coach Certification Biodiesel Fact Sheet


Green Coach Certification Tour Operator Survey Fact Sheet

The Green Coach Certification Research initiative (GCC) is part of a multi-year project being developed at the University of Vermont, in close collaboration with the American Bus Association (ABA) and the United Motorcoach Association (UMA). This research focuses on a) the interplay of business and environmental concerns among motorcoach operators, tour operators, and riders and b) the development, testing, and evaluation of an 18 month pilot "Green Coach Certification" program for the motorcoach industry. The pilot GCC is based on principles of transparency and voluntary participation, and provides operators with the opportunity to be recognized for existing and emerging efforts to increase their already high level of environmental stewardship.  During this learning phase, the GCC should reach a wide audience and continue to develop in sophistication over time.  

Currently more than 20 companies from across North America have volunteered to participate in the GCC pilot program. This pilot/field test will help to answer a number of important research questions and provide the foundation for a long-term permanent environmental certification program for the motorcoach industry. During the 18-month pilot program, participating operators are eligible for a pilot GCC label/recognition for any motorcoach complying with at least one of the following:

 

Meeting or exceeding the industry average of 148 passenger miles per gallon.

Running an EPA 2007 compliant engine.

Running an EPA 2010 compliant engine.

Offsetting carbon emissions by 80 percent through an endorsed carbon-trading program.

  Running on an alternative fuel such as a blend of Biodiesel.

  Having a strict, documented, and verifiable energy conservation and recycling program.

   Incorporating other emerging environmental technologies as prescribed by the GCC.

If you or your company would like to learn more about the Green Coach Certification program and/or the larger research effort, please contact Dave Kestenbaum at the University of Vermont. Dave can be reached at (802) 656-9141 or at David.Kestenbaum@uvm.edu.  

Also, follow this link to view the Program Packet for Field Test Participants, which has been distributed to operators already participating in the program.  This document describes the history of the project, project goals and objectives, criteria for participation in the pilot phase of the program, and the roles and responsibilities of both operators and researchers during the pilot phase of the program.

Green Coach Research Team:

Lisa Chase, Ph.D.
Director, Vermont Tourism Data Center
Natural Resources Specialist
University of Vermont Extension
Lisa.Chase@uvm.edu

David Kestenbaum
Outreach Professional Senior
University of Vermont Extension
David.Kestenbaum@uvm.edu

Laura Anderson, Postdoctoral Associate
Park Studies Laboratory
The Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources
The University of Vermont
landers2@uvm.edu

Cristina Rose Mastrangelo
M.S. and C.E.E. Candidate
Research Assistant
Community Development and Applied Economics
The University of Vermont
cmastran.uvm@gmail.com

 Special Thanks to Turbo Images for providing graphic design services and support for the Green Coach research program.