Call Us At: 515-294-1882
January 2022
Transportation Services Newsletter
Director's Dashboard
Beginning spring semester, all individuals who plan to drive a university vehicle must have an approved Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check on file. Approved MVR checks are valid for 12 months unless further violation(s) occur that may impact driving eligibility status. The approved MVR check will be required to create or update the Agile FleetCommander profile needed for drivers to reserve university vehicles. If you will be driving a university-owned vehicle and do not currently have an approved MVR check, please submit an MVR check request through the Motor Vehicle Record Check Request Form no later than seven business days before your expected travel dates.
 
University Transportation Services and the Office of Risk Management have collaborated to update procedures related to eligible drivers, MVR checks and appeals, vehicle reservations, training, and authorized passengers. The Fleet Safety and Vehicle Use/Rental procedures and related Frequently Asked Questions
MVR checks are required for all drivers
of university owned vehicles.
can be found on the University Transportation Services website.

ISU vehicle reservations are managed through University Transportation Services with MVR check processing support from the Office of Risk Management. If you have questions regarding the Fleet Safety and Vehicle Use/Rental policy and procedures, please contact Kathy Wellik at kwellik@iastate.edu or Teri Jensen at jensentl@iastate.edu. For questions related to submitting MVR checks, email mvr@iastate.edu.

Kathy Wellik, Director
ISU Transportation Services
kwellik@iastate.edu
515-294-1657
Agile Tips and Tricks
Profile Expirations
After your Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check is approved, a Profile Expiration Date one year after the approval will be added to your Agile FleetCommander profile. Once that date passes, users will be unable to access the Agile FleetCommander system. When expired users attempt to log in they will receive an Invalid ISU Net ID error message. If you have a current MVR and still receive this message, please contact our office.
Technician Tip
Winter Blend Diesel Fuel and DEF
Winter temperatures are tough on vehicles, but did you know that below freezing temperatures can affect the fuel we use in our vehicles as well? Gasoline has a very low freezing point (-100 degrees F), but diesel has a much higher freezing point. Check the sticker on the vehicle's WEX fuel card, or contact our office if you question what type of fuel to use in any university vehicle.

If you are driving a diesel vehicle, when temperatures dip below 30 degrees F it is time to switch to "winter blend" diesel fuel. Winter blend diesel fuel is a mixture of No. 1 diesel and No. 2 diesel fuel. Transportation Services proactively orders winter blended fuel before the cold weather sets in for use in all diesel vehicles owned by the university.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is a liquid used in diesel engines to reduce emissions. It is made from deionized water and a pure form of urea. The liquid and hot exhaust react with a variety of metallic compounds to convert exhaust gases nitrogen dioxide and monoxide into nitrogen and water. DEF is available at most fueling stations, and at the Transportation Services office. If you see the DEF indicator light on the dash of the university vehicle, stop by the Transportation Services office and we will be happy to top off the tank.
Diesel engines require both diesel fuel
and DEF to run properly
Shift-on-the-Fly for Safety
Driving the Speed Limit Saves Lives
One of the major factors in traffic deaths in the United States is speeding. In 2019, “speeding was a factor in 26% of all traffic fatalities, killing 9,478, or an average of over 25 people per day” according to the National Safety Council. Many state troopers saw an increase in excessive speeding during the pandemic. Now that traffic is picking back up from the first two years of the pandemic, the higher speeds of when fewer people were on the road are still occurring.

Just last week the Iowa State Patrol pulled over an 18-year old going 133 mph in a 60 mph zone. Going fast not only puts the driver in danger, but everyone else in the car and in surrounding cars. Please make sure you are driving defensively and be aware of your surroundings at all times. A ticket violation like that will
not only cost you your license, but also a large fine and increased insurance costs when you can drive again.

If a violation occurs while operating a university vehicle, all fines are the responsibility of the driver and may impact your eligibility to drive a university vehicle. Drive the speed limit and arrive alive. Let’s keep each other safe by following the rules and laws of the road.
Stay safe - obey the speed limit.
Employee Spotlight
Teri Jensen
Teri Jensen joined University Transportation Services in 2018 after being a service adviser in the automotive industry for over 9 years. Teri is the go-to for the billing and communications for the Transportation Services department. She takes pride in helping our customers with their questions.

Outside of her duties at UTS, Teri is a leader of the Story County 4H Shooting Sports club and the adviser for the ISU Archery Club student organization. She enjoys ice fishing, camping with her family and her horse, archery and spending quality time with family.
Keep your drinks warm with a
Transportation Services Tumbler!
How many gallons of diesel fuel was used in the Transportation Services fleet vehicles in 2021?
7596
8987
9523
10,159

Congratulations to the winners of the Nov/Dec Trivia!
  • Andrew Mott
  • Jessica Fincham
  • Todd Wilson
Nov/Dec's trivia answer
"Which Board of Regents institutions does ISU Transportation Services provide vehicles for?"

The correct answer is "All of the Above". University Transportation Services provides vehicles for ISU, Iowa School for the Deaf and Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Transportation Services
919 Haber Rd
Ames, IA 50011
515-294-1882
Your photo could be here! Send a photo of your University car to transdispatch@iastate.edu and it could be featured in a future newsletter.