NYC tests electric construction equipment at city worksites
New York City is exploring whether electric-powered construction equipment can cut pollution and noise at city worksites as officials look for ways to make municipal operations cleaner.
The city announced its first Clean Construction Innovation pilot Friday during Climate Week NYC, with six pieces of zero-emission equipment being tested in the Queens and Staten Island boroughs. The six-month pilot will track battery life, charging, performance, ease of use, noise and environmental impacts to help establish a blueprint for transitioning the city to more energy efficient construction practices.
“Building a safer, quieter, cleaner city means putting innovative technology to work directly in our neighborhoods,” Lisa Gelobter, the city’s chief technology officer, said in a statement. “Through the Clean Construction Pilot, we are equipping city workers with fully electric machines to reduce emissions and noise pollution where New Yorkers work and live.”
The New York City Parks Department is testing four pieces of equipment, including electric skid steers and electric buggies at Rockaway Beach throughout the beach season to the end of the year, while the city’s sanitation department is testing two pieces of equipment, including a compact track loader and an electric forklift to move compost materials at the Staten Island Compost Site and Fresh Kills Landfill.
The project is part of the city’s Smart City Testbed Program, which uses real-world city operations to evaluate emerging technologies, including pedestrian counting, augmented reality and infrastructure safety. Program participants receive support from the city’s technology office and the opportunity to collaborate with city agencies and outside partners.
In the Friday announcement, Louise Yeung, chief climate officer for the city, said the pilot will also examine “what it takes to successfully adopt the next generation of construction equipment across City operations” and will help shape the next NYC Climate Plan.
