Name: _____Alex Labonte and Dylan Waldheutter______ _______________________ _______
Last
First
M.I.
ID #: _1749269_______________ Email Address:__LaBonteAE22@uww.edu___________________
Phone___414 807 2803________________
Campus Address: ____163 N Park St. _______________ _Whitewater______ _WI__ _53190__
City
Street
State
Zip
College: ___ Arts & Communication ___ Business & Economics ___ Education ___Letters & Sciences
Graduation Date (indicate month & year): __5/2014, 12/2014________________
Grant Title: __Free Air!_______ Tier (Circle One):
I
II
III
Feasibility Study
1. Project Overview, Goals, and Objectives
Provide a brief project overview of the proposal. What goals and objectives are you trying
to achieve with the project? How will this project achieve these goals and objectives?
Include collaborative departments, organizations, and/or faculty/staff that you would
possibly be working with.
We are asking for Student Sustainability Funds for an air compressor that would allow
UWW auto and bike commuters to fill their tires free of charge.
Gas mileage is inversely proportional to tire pressure. Fuel economy drops by 0.3% per 1
psi below the recommended pressure.1 The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration recognized the link between tire pressure and fuel economy and
mandated that all cars built after 2008 include a tire pressure monitoring system to
indicate low tire pressure. Unfortunately, most drivers drive their cars on tires that are
inflated well below the recommended pressure because remembering to put air in the
1
U.S. Department of Energy. “Keeping Your Car in Shape – Keep Tires Properly Inflated,” Fuel
Economy.gov.
tires does not often coincide with having three quarters at a gas station. Tire pressure
warning lights do not light until pressure drops below %75 of the recommended pressure.
We would prefer that all commuters to UWW by public transit, by bike, or on foot, but so
long as 4600 students, faculty, and staff choose to buy parking permits, we propose
reduce the amount of gasoline that UWW commuters burn by making it easier for them
to keep their tires properly inflated with a gas station-grade free air compressor. The
compressor will also provide a quick, easy, and reliable way for bike commuters to
inflate their tires. Higher tire pressure makes bike commuting faster and more
comfortable.
This project will need approval and support from FP&M for site selection and installation
of the pump (including installation of electrical service).
This project will support the UWW bike club’s efforts to encourage bike commuting.
Subsequent air compressors could be situated near electric car charging stations.
Together, they could comprise the foundation of a commuting hub that would highlight
transportation options.
2. Project Timeline
Provide a detailed timeline indicating your considerations of this project beyond the scope of
funding. What is you final goal date and what are the steps that you need to take to complete this
grant?
May - Purchase compressor
June - coordinate installation with FP&M and create sign
July / August - Install compressor and sign
September - promote the compressor and the benefits of tire pressure and sensible driving
with windshield wiper leaflets at the start of school. Staple leaflets to bicycle top tubes.
3. Budget Details and Costs
How will you spend the grant given to you? Provide a detail summary of the costs that you need to
make to complete this project. Include the dates that you will need to make these purchases by. If
looking for matching funds from other sources, list possible parties.
JE Adams Digital Air Machine (8670-DIG-Free)2
-ORJE Adams Economy Air Machine3
Pedestal
Sign Materials
Shipping
$2455
-OR$1135
$165
$200
$150
$1665 or $2970
Ideal purchase date would be June 1.
4. Projects Impact and Benefits
How will this project directly impact UW-Whitewater? How is this a new idea that can benefit the
student body in understanding sustainability issues or actions? How do you plan to raise awareness
to the student body about your project?
We expect that the compressor would have long-term educational benefits that would extend
well beyond the immediate fuel savings. A sign next to the air compressor will encourage
other fuel saving behaviors and transportation options (slow acceleration, driving below 60
mph, carpooling options, and bike routes), that will help UWW community members
develop sustainable transportation patterns. For students, this can be the beginning of a
lifelong process of becoming a more conscious and more sustainable commuter. Far from
encouraging driving, the compressor and the promotional materials (sign, advertising
leaflets, potential pressure gauge givaways) can raise questions about why we commute by
car and what alternatives exist.
5. Addition Information
List any information that you feel is relevant to the grant that you would like to add.
2
http://www.jeadams.com/Product/1229/Digital-Air-Machine-Retractable-Hose-Reel-GASTCompressor.aspx
3
http://www.jeadams.com/Product/Air-Machines-Air-Water-Machines/21/ECONOMY-AIR-AIRWATER-MACHINES.aspx