On May 8, 2007: UDOT officials and USU researchers oversaw a seeding operation in Kaysville, UT, north of Salt Lake City.
Laying plots along freeway
The roadside biodiesel idea came from a USU graduate student, Dallas Hanks, while working on his doctoral degree. Hanks discussed the concept of using the UDOT right-of-way with Shana Lindsey, Director of Research and Bridge Operations.
This idea appealed to Shana who envisioned the possibility of UDOT harvesting enough seeds to produce homegrown biodiesel for their fleet (heavy diesel machinery, snow plows, etc.). She also foresaw improved aesthetics and reduced roadside maintenance costs to the department.
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The initial FreeWays to Fuel team was formed in early 2007 and consisted of:
USU
· Dr. Ralph Whitesides – Department of Plant Soils and Climate
§ Extension Weed Specialist
· Dallas Hanks – Department of Plant Soils and Climate
§ Co - PI FreeWays to Fuel/Grad Student
· Dr. Grant Cardon – Department of Plant Soils and Climate
§ Extension Soil Specialist
· Dr. DeeVon Bailey – Department of Economics
§ Associate Vice President for Research
· Dr. Bruce Miller Agricultural Systems Technology and Engineering
§ Department Chair
· Dr. Paul Grossl – Department of Plant Soils and Climate
§ Soil Chemistry
UDOT
· Shana Lindsey – Director, Research & Bridge Operations
· Mike Fazio – Deputy Director of Research
· Ab Wakil – Project Manager
· Richard Clark – Director of Maintenance
· Adan Carrillo – Public Relations
· Ralph Patterson, Jeff Williams and Scot Chipman – Meteorology
· Shane Marshall - Director for Environmental Services
· Angelo Papastamos- Director for Context Sensitive Solutions
· Lyle McMillan - Director for Right-of-Way