The following constitutes the U of O Campus Recycling Program's vehicle operation policies. This policy statement is neither exclusive nor exhaustive, but represents the minimum operating standards and driving behaviors required of Student Recyclers operating program/state vehicles.

1. Driving Philosophy
When driving for Campus Recycling, you are driving a state vehicle (designated by the "E" prefix on the license plate), and you are being paid to drive as part of your job. Personal driving habits which may be in conflict with program regulations, state traffic laws, safety regulations, or good defensive driving habits are not acceptable. There's a taxpayer or state employee around every corner. These people can and do register complaints about state employee driving behaviors, complaints which reflect badly upon the program and jeopardize its funding, and which must be followed up with time-consuming and costly investigations. Don't let this happen.
Finally, safety is of paramount importance to the program, and no body of safety regulations is as crucial as are these vehicle operating rules.

2. Operator Requirements

• All persons operating Program Vehicles are required to be licensed drivers in their home states and are required to have in their possession when operating program vehicles their: a.) driver licenses, and b.) U of O Driver Certification cards (upon issuance).
• Any changes in driving status or driver license validity must be reported to the program.
• Program employees are deemed qualified to drive program vehicles only after having successfully completed program- and University-approved van certification training. The determination of the successful completion of this training is at the discretion of the program van trainer. No employee is to operate a program vehicle without having been given permission to do so by a program van trainer at the completion of van training.
• If, at any time after having completed program van training, an employee feels unqualified to drive program vans or otherwise uncomfortable doing so, s/he should discuss this matter with a supervisor immediately. Those doing so will be offered additional training or will be excused from driving for the program at no detriment to their continued employment with the program.

3. Van Use
Campus Recycling Program vehicles are State of Oregon vehicles, and as such are for program use only. With the exceptions of official business, mechanical failure, or serious (life or death) emergencies, they are to be parked/stopped in University areas only. When embarking on an off-campus route, plan to use restrooms and other facilities on campus before leaving or at the off-campus location. Vehicles are never to be taken to or parked at non-University off-campus locations for breaks or lunches, nor is it permissible to stop at an employee's residence or to use the vehicles for any personal use or errand. Lastly, vans are not to be taken off-route for the sole purpose of driving to a desirable break area -- including on-campus areas such as the EMU. Vans are to be kept on-route during all break periods.

4. Vehicles

• Vans are heavier than cars and require more stopping time. Slow down and allow increased following/braking distance between vehicles.
• Vans are less stable in turns and have longer wheelbases than cars. Turning too sharply or running up on a curb at high speed could result in a tip-over. Don't cut turns short -- you may run over the curb and any objects or persons there.
• Vans offer less visibility, especially to the rear and sides. Van "blind spots" are larger. Have the passenger assist in spotting during lane changes and other driving maneuvers.
• Vans are taller than cars. Recycling vans have their heights listed on the dashboards. Spotters should be used anytime overhead clearance is questionable.
• Program vans have audible back-up alarms. If an alarm ceases to work, the horn should be used when backing, and the alarm problem should be reported to a supervisor ASAP.
• Van maintenance and safety inspections are required. Conduct a complete daily inspection using program inspection checklists before the first vehicle use of the day.
• Side mirrors are essential in vans. Using the spotter, adjust the mirrors for the driver during the inspection or the pre-driving/warm-up period.
• Close the tailgate before moving the vehicle any distance, anywhere
• Keep all doors closed when driving. This includes both the driver and passenger side doors, and the back overhead door.
• Program vehicles have a 2-person maximum. Under no circumstances should anyone other than the driver and passenger be in a moving vehicle.
• Turn off all electrical accessories before shutting off vehicle engines.
• Remove all personal items and debris from van cabs at the end of each shift.

5. Driving

• Wear your seatbelt at all times while driving. This is both a program rule and a state law.
• Check both mirrors frequently -- every 5 seconds is recommended.
• Plan your trip. Know your route and stops, and the best way to get there.
• Slow down.
• Don't drive after having consumed alcohol or drugs, prescription or otherwise.
• Don't allow anyone (passengers or pedestrians) to hang on a van while it is moving.
• Obey all posted speed limits, stop signs and lights, and other traffic controls. Note the reduced speed limits on campus -- they are often only 10 or 15 mph.
• Drive defensively. Slow down and take your time at all times.
• Be courteous, professional and restrained. Don't hesitate to yield to other vehicles and pedestrians. Don't engage in vengeful or angry behavior (driving, verbal, gestural, or otherwise) when encountering a discourteous or aggressive driver.
• Exercise patience when encountering student or other pedestrian traffic on or near campus, especially during class changes. Don't hesitate to simply wait out the congestion.
• Be alert to bicycles at all times, especially when at traffic controls or on streets with a right-hand bike lane.
• Use turn signals at all times and well ahead of intended maneuvers and turns.

6. Backing and Maneuvering

• A spotter must always be used when backing up a program vehicle -- no exceptions. A spotter can be the passenger or any program employee from the warehouse or trailer.
• Do not move the vehicle backwards until the spotter has inspected the area behind the vehicle and has given the signal to begin backing up.
• Drivers and spotters should ensure that they have visual contact with each other in a side mirror at all times when backing. The driver should see the spotter clearly, and the spotter should see the driver's eyes in the mirror. If either one can't see the other, stop and re-adjust the spotter's position.
• Spotters should use constant, obvious, and agreed-upon hand signals. Verbal signals are not allowed.
• Spotters should be used for forward maneuvers if and when overhead or lateral space concerns present themselves.
• When parking at loading docks, stop the vehicle a few inches before the tailgate touches the dock. The spotter should be alerted to this requirement. Allowing the vehicle to stop when the gate "bumps" up against the dock damages the tailgate.
• Parking brakes should be set anytime a vehicle is "parked" or otherwise left unattended.
• When leaving a program vehicle unattended for any length of time, close and lock the vehicle, and remove the keys. This is required regardless of where the vehicle is (off campus, on campus, at the warehouse or trailer, etc.).

7. Weather, Darkness and Inclement Conditions

• Slow down and increase following distances anytime rain, snow, ice or other hazardous road conditions present themselves.
• Use headlights whenever weather conditions or darkness require their use. If in doubt, turn them on. They may not help you see better, but will help other drivers to see you.

8. Parking Regulations Program vehicles must observe both campus and public parking regulations. Failure to do so can result in a parking ticket, which will be the personal responsibility of the driver.

On-Campus Parking - Program vehicles may park on campus as follows.

• In any space marked "(State) Service Vehicles Only."
• In any metered space for free for the duration of the meter limit only.
• Against the curb in the closed section of East 13^th Avenue.
• At any loading dock or in any loading zone.

NEVER park in any of the following areas:

• "Reserved" spaces.
• "Disabled" spaces.
• In or across driveways or sidewalks.
• Across pedestrian crossings.
• Blocking the curb "cut-outs" used for disabled access to and from sidewalks.
• In any way such that another vehicle is blocked or prevented from moving.

Off-Campus Parking - Program vehicles may park off campus as follows:

• In "Commercial Marked Vehicles Only" spaces.
• In metered spaces for free for the duration of the meter limit only.

Parking on the Closed Portion of East 13^th Street (from Kincaid to University street)

You can:

• Park on the closed portion of E. 13th while servicing any of the buildings on the street -- Friendly, Allen, Johnson, Fenton, Chapman, Gilbert and Condon. Let's add Columbia to that list if the service vehicle spaces adjacent to Columbia are occupied.

You cannot:

• Park on the closed portion of E. 13th while servicing any other campus buildings.
• Park on the closed portion of E. 13th while doing anything else, such as taking a break -- UNLESS you are already there to service buildings. For example, you can service Johnson, Fenton, and Friendly; leave the van on E. 13th while taking break; and return to service Chapman and Condon. You cannot drive to this area and park for the sole purpose of taking a break on a route which does not include any of these buildings.
• Use the closed portion of E. 13th as a shortcut (such as between Kincaid and University Streets). The only acceptable reason for being here is to service a building.
• Park illegally in that area. Illegal parking would include: blocking ADA curb cut-outs; parking in a yellow area; parking across a crosswalk; or blocking a fire hydrant.

9. Accidents
The program defines an accident as any event involving a program vehicle which causes damage to a program vehicle, another vehicle or any stationary object; or injury to any person. All accidents must be reported to a program staff employee as soon as possible following the guidelines noted below. Failure to do so is considered grounds for dismissal.

• Attend to any injured persons before proceeding further. If on campus, call the OPS emergency number at 6-6666 (do not call 911 on campus -- OPS will take care of getting EMS personnel on the scene). If off campus, call 911.
• If possible and if deemed necessary, move vehicles out of traffic.
• If possible and if deemed necessary, set up traffic control devices to render the accident scene safe for other motorists.
• Once injured persons have been attended to and the accident scene has been rendered safe, immediately call a Program Coordinator or the Program Manager -- page someone if necessary, but get ahold of one of the 5 program staff employees. One of these people will come to the accident scene to take pictures and ensure that proper procedures are followed.
• Take out the "Accident Report Package" and begin to fill out the cards enclosed (a report package is kept in each vehicle in a black nylon pocket with a sign indicating as such). Fill out cards designated for your vehicle and driver, any other vehicles and drivers involved, and any witnesses to the accident.
• Make no admissions of blame or other statements about the cause of the accident except to a police officer or program employee.

10. Passengers/Spotters
Program vehicles are always sent out on routes with 2 persons: a driver and a passenger/ spotter. While this second person is the work partner of the driver, the program also regards this second person as the driver's driving partner and an essential part of a driving safety program. Passengers, therefore, should always be aware of and alert to their role as a spotter during all driving situations. This includes providing a "second set of eyes" when a driver is:

• Backing up.
• Maneuvering in tight areas -- even if not backing up.
• Approaching a low overhead obstruction.
• Preparing or attempting to change lanes.
• Scanning for vehicular, pedestrian, or bicycle traffic.
• Looking for a parking spot or loading/unloading area.
• Observing traffic signals, lights, stop signs, warning signs, speed limit designations, etc..
• Watching for lateral clearance, especially parked cars and curbs.

The Program has adopted a "zero-tolerance" approach to violations of this policy (no exceptions are considered justified). In the rare event a work partner is not available to spot, drivers must refrain from backing up unless and until a University employee, student, or passerby is available for spotting. Since the backing/spotting policy applies equally to drivers and passengers, non-driving passengers are held equally responsible for the fulfillment of the policy and/or any violations of it.

5. Vehicle Operational Responsibilities - All operators and passengers are responsible for ensuring the mechanical and operational preparedness of the vans. Check the vehicle pre-operation checklist prior to driving a van. If the pre-op check has not been performed and recorded for that day, perform and record it. Report any problems found to a supervisor immediately and before driving the vehicle. Similarly report any problems discovered while on route to a Coordinator immediately and before driving the vehicle further. Use pager communications if necessary.

6. Cleanliness and Safety - Cluttered van cabs, un-swept cargo areas, and dirty windows present not only a housekeeping and aesthetic problem: they compromise our safety. Remove all garbage, collectibles and personal belongings from the van cabs after every route, and sweep out the cargo areas during the unloading/reloading process. Clean the windshield and windows, if necessary, prior to heading out on route. Make sure the vans are clean, safe and operationally sound at all times.

Diesel Step Vans

Starting and Pre-Operation Procedures

•  Open Hood

•  Disengage the hood hold-down straps

•  Lift hood completely

•  Lower hood until the hood support cylinder engages

•  Check fluids

•  Engine oil via dipstick

•  Transmission oil via dipstick

•  Engine coolant via reservoir (visual)

•  Brake master cylinder fluid via reservoir (visual)

•  Lower hood

•  Raise hood slightly

•  Manually disengage the hold-open cylinder pin

•  Lower hood completely

•  Re-attached hood hold-down straps

•  Start Van

•  Turn ignition key one “click”

•  Allow all warning lights and gauges to cycle through

•  Allow amber “Wait” light to extinguish

•  Check that all lights are extinguished except the brake light and the seat belt light.

•  Start engine without using accelerator

•  Warm up Van

•  Allow engine to run for at least 5 minutes

•  Perform remainder of inspection while van warms up

•  Perform Exterior Visual Check

•  Damage

•  Windows

•  Tires

•  Leaks

•  Mirrors

•  Perform remainder of pre-op checklist

•  All lights

•  Turn Signals

•  Remaining items as per checklist

•  Controls and Accessories
Take the time to familiarize yourself with all vehicle accessory controls in addition to those include in the pre-operation checklist. These are all fairly standardized, and easy to find and operate. They include:

•  Lights & signals

•  Washer/wiper

•  Heating/air/venting/mounted fan

•  Driving

•  Release the parking brake

•  Place the transmission in “Drive”

•  Drive

Starting the Van Mid-Route
The above warm-up period will always apply when starting a van for the first time each day, after lunch, and whenever the engine has been off for 30 minutes or longer.

For those instances when the engine is off for a short period of time (15-30 minutes or so), a warm up may not be required when re-starting. That determination must be made while starting the van.

Follow the above procedure for starting – allowing all lights and gauges to cycle through. Start the van. While starting, check to see if the engine temperature gauge needle moves (even slightly) above “C.” If so, no warm up is needed. If not, warm the van for 5 minutes or until you see the temperature gauge rise above “C.”

Shutdown Procedures

•  Park/stop vehicle and place transmission in “Park.”

•  Set the parking brake. An audible warning signal will sound when the engine is shut off if the parking brake has not been set. Setting the brake will turn off the signal.

•  Allow vehicle to idle for at least 3 minutes to cool down, if required (see below)

•  Shut off vehicle

Cool-Down
The diesel vans are equipped with turbochargers which should be allowed to cool down anytime they have engaged while driving. They will engage during a hard acceleration.

For shorter drives and/or low-speed movements around campus, a cool-down period will not be required. In these situations, take care to not engage in unnecessary hard accelerations. When the van is stopped/parked, it can be shut off without a cool-down period.

Whenever you have accelerated hard enough or driven fast enough to have engaged the turbocharger (or whenever in doubt), allow the van to idle and cool down for 3 minutes before shutting it off.

The 3-minute idle requirement does not require that the vehicle be stationary – just idling. Backing, parking, or otherwise moving the vehicle without accelerating (using idle only) allows for this maneuver time to count towards the 3-minute cool-down period. Whenever possible, use this approach to cut down on the time required to keep the engine running after parking before shutting off the engine.

Several areas of campus have posted restrictions on leaving vehicles running due to the proximity of building air intakes. This is true of several docks. It also applies to vehicles which have backed into the Quonset doorway. In these situations, try to position the van a distance from the area, and let it idle for a couple of minutes away from the area, dock, Quonset doorway, etc.. Then, idle it into position, the doorway, the dock, etc., and turn off the van once maneuvering is completed.

Tailgate

1. Opening

•  Remove the safety chain hook

•  Electrically raise the gate slightly to clear the notch in the gate rest – about 1/2”

•  Lift/raise the safety latch

•  Manually lower the gate from the vertical position to the horizontal position

•  Electrically lower the gate

1. Closing

•  Electrically raise or lower the gate to roughly half way between the ground and the truck bed

•  Manually raise the gate from horizontal position to the vertical position

•  Electrically raise the gate the remainder of the way to the locked position. The gate assembly will ensure that the gate opens and closes the safety latch, and slides into the gate rest area without manual involvement.

•  Electrically lower the gate until it sits on the gate rest.

•  Hook the safety chain into the hole provided.

Dimensions
The new vans specs are roughly based upon our GMP van specs with a 12-foot box. As newer models, however, they measure out slightly different.

Length
The new vans are 5” longer than the GMP van. Driving them should be very similar to driving the GMP van in terms of length.

Width
The new vans are the same width as the old white vans, taking into account the side-mounted tail lights on the old vans. The tail lights on the new vans are mounted into the box, whereas on some of the old vans, these lights are side-mounted. The width of the boxes on the new vans is the same width as the boxes on the old vans if the side-mounted lights are taken into account. So although the new van boxes are wider, the total clearance allowance is the same.

Height
The most noticeable difference between the new and old vans is the height, which was ordered higher to allow more headroom to create an ergonomically better environment for tall employees. For example, the new vans are 9” higher than the old GMP van, and 11” higher than the other vans.

I have checked several “questionable” areas on campus and have found no clearance problems. However, be on the alert for any areas which I may have missed. Be prepared to stop, get out, and check a questionable clearance before proceeding further. This applies equally to both drivers and spotters.

Dimension Comparison

Fueling
Fueling the new vans is the same as fueling the old ones, with the critical exception that the new vans take diesel fuel from pump #1 – not regular gas from pump #2.

All of this info is on the new gas cards, but please take this to heart:

DIESEL FUEL – PUMP #1 – ONLY
The vans have 30-gallon fuel tanks and will get better gas mileage than the old vans. They should go further between fueling stops than the old ones.

The new vans also have locking, threaded gas caps – not the older style bayonet-mount caps. Be careful to not cross-thread the caps when replacing them.

Locking and Unlocking
To unlock a cab door, insert the key, turn it, and allow the lock cylinder to pop out. The door is now unlocked.

To lock a cab door, simply push in the lock cylinder from the exterior. The door is now locked.

Locks are also provided for the back overhead doors, which require the same key to lock and unlock them.
NOTE - The cab doors should only be locked from the exterior, as just described. Although an interior locking mechanism is provided, this mechanism -- once activated -- cannot be unlocked using the key from the exterior. They essentially lock one out of the van.

Should you forget and lock this mechanism, and then shut the door, you'll need to access the cab by unlocking the back door and walking through into the cab. Although the cab-to-box safety door has a latch, it can be opened from either side, allowing you to access the cab from the box even if the door is latched.
Also, always keep the safety door closed and latched for safety.

Interior Equipment

I've only installed minimal equipment in the vans, including:

•  First aid kits

•  Fire extinguishers

•  Steel file pockets (on the engine covers)

•  Info sheets - contact numbers and starting instructions

•  Accident Report Packets

•  Fueling cards

•  Storage boxes

•  Cargo straps

•  Clocks

I'm reluctant to start bolting stuff to the cabs, engine covers, dash boards, etc. until we determine what needs we have and how to best meet those needs. So everyone should use the next couple of weeks to figure out what is needed in the cabs and boxes to function efficiently.

E.I.C    UO Home    Facilities    Others    Sitemap    Contact Us   UO Printshop