APTA Clean Propulsion & Support Technology Committee
May 2005
| To: | Clean Propulsion & Support Technology Committee Members |
| From: | Richard Hunt, Vice Chairman for Vehicle/Propulsion Systems |
| Subject: | Technology Project Status Update – May 2005 |
The following Technology Project Status Updates are submitted for your review
and information. As you can see from this small sample, there is a lot going
on. It is our plan to update this summary and distribute the updates at each
Committee Meeting. If you have any questions or recommendations, please let
us know.
WMATA
The Operational Bus fleet is 1441. Of these, 164 are New
Flyer 40 ft, low floor CNG buses. We have 250 additional CNG buses on order
form Orion. They will be 40 ft. low floor, and are scheduled to be delivered
between August 2005 and March 2006. The Orion buses are all replacement buses.
From a technology standpoint, WMATA plans to employ both CNG and Diesel Hybrid.
On April 21, 2005 the WMATA Board of Directors authorized 217 additional replacement
buses for delivery between 2006 and 2008. 100 of these will be low floor diesel
hybrids and 117 will be clean diesel. This allows allocation of these replacement
buses to three facilities in Maryland. We are quickly exploring options and
hope to have some number of diesel hybrids in service before the end of 2005.
For more information, please contact Jack Requa at (jrequa@wmata.com)
Los Angeles Metro Vehicle Technology Update
Metro continues to be out on the Technology edge. We have received over half
of our NABI 45 foot Compo Buses and will take delivery of the first thirty
60 foot CNG Metro Liners in June. The Orange Line Bus way in
the San Fernando Valley is scheduled to open later this summer, and will employ
the Metro Liner as its base vehicle. With an eye towards 2007 and 2010 vehicle
emission requirements, we are looking at a Hydrogen – CNG pilot project,
evaluating three different CNG engines, and are working on a Gasoline Artic
project.
Disc Brakes
Los Angeles Metro had requested that NABI install disc brakes on a group of buses
within the latest order. A review of transit properties indicated that disc
brakes were not the braking system of choice in the United States, but the many
European transit operators have been using disc brakes for some time with good
results.
After an engineering review and analysis, and discussions with Arvin Meritor
and NABI, it was agreed to install all axles with disc brakes for both the 45
foot Compo Bus and the new Metro Liner bus orders. From a cost benefit, the
mean time to fully reline a conventional brake axle could be as high as eight
hours. The time to re-pad a disc brake axle is taking less than one hour. Therefore,
the cost savings in labor alone minimized encouraged Metro to take the risk.
To date 69, 45-foot buses have been placed in service with accumulated life miles
of 1,069,269. With the exception of one warped front rotor there have been no
other defects noted or any warranty claims reported to date. A review of Bus
Operators by the Mechanical Training Department indicates nothing but positive
feedback. Based on the wear seen to this point, it is conceivable that the first
required pad change would not occur until 80,000 miles or more.
In both cases, Meritor tested and certified that the disc brake configuration
meets all areas of FMVSS 121 tested the entire braking systems. Certifications
are on file.
For information, please contact Richard Hunt (huntr@metro.net)
or Mike Bottone (bottonem@metro.net).
Omnitrans, San Bernardino, California
Here at Omnitrans we are still working with our three gasoline hybrid buses.
Two are in service and the third is awaiting the upgrade to the latest phase
(Siemens system).
Our next bus bid will most likely still be CNG buses as we continue to evaluate
our hybrid buses.
Omnitrans is moving towards a BRT system. We are currently performing the MIS
study for this project. We like the looks of the latest artics from NABI
and will be watching how well they perform at our site.
Robert Bach Director of Maintenance Omnitrans 1700 West 5th Street San Bernardino,
CA. 92411
Work (909) 379-7182 Fax (909) 379-7382 Cell (951) 377-9120 bob.bach@omnitrans.org
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Vehicle Technology
Update
MBTA in Boston is nearing completion of a complete transformation of its bus
fleet to cleaner technology. Since 2003, 460 pre-1994 buses have been retired
and replaced with 360 new compressed natural gas and 100 new “emissions-controlled
diesel” (ECD) buses. When the remaining 75 ECD buses on order are delivered
by summer 2005, 57% of the fleet will have been replaced, reducing the average
fleet age from 14 to 4 years.
The ECD buses are equipped with Caterpillar ACERTTM engines certified
to 2.4 g/bhp-hr NOx emissions, plus a first-fit diesel particulate filter (DPF)
that reduces PM emissions by more than 90%. The engines in the remaining 1994-1995
vintage diesel buses have been overhauled and upgraded to meet 1998 emission
standards (4 g/bhp-hr NOx), and have been retrofit with DPFs. In addition, all
diesel buses in the fleet now operate on cleaner, ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD)
fuel, with no more than 30 ppm sulfur.
In late 2004, MBTA also opened the second section of its new Silver Line bus
rapid transit service, with delivery of the first “dual mode” articulated
buses that will operate through a dedicated transitway tunnel from downtown
Boston/South Station, to the South Boston waterfront. From there, the buses
will operate over surface streets and to Logan airport. The unique dual-mode
buses operate in trolley mode while in the tunnel, pulling their electric power
from an overhead catenary system. Once outside the tunnel, a full-sized diesel
engine and generator produce on-board electricity to power the electric drive
motors. A total of 32dual mode buses are expected to be delivered by summer
2005.
Dana Lowell
M.J. Bradley & Associates (603) 647-5746
dlowell@mjbradley.com
CATA Compressed Natural Gas Program Complete -1993 –
2005
The Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA), a joint municipal authority
of the five Centre Region Municipalities (State College Borough and College,
Ferguson, Harris and Patton Townships), is the chief provider of public mass
transportation in Centre County, Pennsylvania, providing over six million bus
rides a year to Penn State students and staff, commuters, senior citizens and
many others.
CATA, having just celebrated its thirtieth anniversary, is very accomplished
and respected within the transit industry. It has been given recognition over
the years for its strong ridership growth, its responsiveness to the local community,
transportation and land use planning, service quality, partnerships with the
Pennsylvania State University and local organizations and staff’s involvement
in the transit industry. CATA has distinguished itself in many areas, but nothing
is more impressive than its full fleet conversion from buses running on diesel
fuel to those powered by clean-burning compressed natural gas (CNG).
CATA Compressed Natural Gas Program
In 1993, CATA made a commitment to alternative fuels with a decision to replace
its outdated diesel-powered fleet with buses powered by clean compressed natural
gas. This action was taken in response to several national priorities: lowering
operating costs for essential services, improving air quality through reduced
vehicular emissions, and reducing reliance on imported fuels. CATA had an interest,
too, in being able to use fuel produced locally in Centre County.
In 1994, as the first step toward fulfilling this commitment, CATA ordered sixteen
CNG-powered buses from Bus Industries of America (now Orion Bus Industries)
in Oriskany, New York.
In 1995, CATA, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Columbia
Gas of Pennsylvania joined in a cooperative effort to build a CNG fueling station
at CATA’s administrative facility.
In subsequent years, CATA expanded its fleet three times, bringing the total
number of CNG-powered buses to 44. Additionally, a fueling facility and three
compressors were constructed on its property, which also provide natural gas
to the nearby UniMart.
Today, with the receipt of two new 18-passenger CNG-powered Starcraft buses in
January 2005, CATA’s entire fleet is fueled entirely by natural gas. CATA
has now been named the first transit authority on the East Coast to have replaced
its fleet with one operated entirely by alternative fuel.
“As a pioneer in the use of compressed natural gas buses, CATA has had
a very positive experience,” says CATA’s General Manager, Hugh Mose.
“Not only have the buses performed well, but the response from the general
public has been overwhelmingly favorable. In my 25-plus years of experience
in public transportation, I cannot think of an initiative that has created such
a positive response in the community as the introduction of CNG-powered buses
at CATA.”
Why natural gas?
Growing severity in air pollution problems in many cities, combined with the
desire to reduce America’s dependence on imported oil, is causing many
transit authorities across the country to reevaluate their current choices of
transportation fuels. Natural gas is a transportation fuel that is economical,
burns cleaner than diesel and is produced right here in the United States. Not
only that, much of the natural gas used in State College is produced locally
in Centre County.
While CATA cannot claim that the use of compressed natural gas as a vehicle fuel
has resulted in any cost savings, Mr. Mose asserts that “I can say without
reservation that CATA’s CNG buses produce only a fraction of the emissions
of the diesel buses they’ve replaced.”
For additional information on CATA, its CNG program and its services, please
visit the CATA website at www.catabus.com or call (814) 238-CATA(2282).
CATA/PTI Hydrogen Bus Project
Even beyond its CNG program, CATA continues to partner with local businesses
and organizations to explore alternative fuels. In 2004, CATA and Penn State
began working with Penn State’s Pennsylvania Transportation Institute
(PTI) on a broad research initiative aimed at researching hydrogen as fuel in
vehicles and the related benefits. As a result of the project, as many as three
of CATA's buses operating on campus will be converted to ones running on a hydrogen
and compressed natural gas blend. The groups involved are exploring the emergence
of hydrogen as a publicly accepted transportation fuel and evaluating the costs
and efficiencies of the fuel as compared to gasoline and other alternative fuels.
CATA CNG Fueling Facility Update Earmark
CATA recently received a CNG earmark, contained in the FY 2004/2005 Appropriations
Bill for an upwards of $800,000 to work with Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania and
Basic Systems (the engineering firm CATA’s used in the past) to determine
and implement the best strategy for rebuilding/updateing its fueling facility
housed at its administrative offices. Construction on the project will take
place in the Summer of 2006.
Jacqueline K. Sheader CATA Marketing Manager Centre Area Transportation Authority
(CATA) 2081 West Whitehall Road State College, PA 16801 (814) 238-2282 ext.
141
marketing@catabus.com
King County DOT/Metro Transit Technology Update
Hybrid Buses
King County Metro is operating a total of 236 New Flyer DE60LF artics with the
Allison parallel hybrid system (214 are owned by King County, and 22 are owned
by Sound Transit and operated by King County under contract). These buses replace
the fleet of 236 1990-91 Breda articulated dual power buses that were purchased
to operate the routes using the downtown Seattle transit tunnel. The last Breda
revenue run on a tunnel route was January 24, 2005. This fleet of hybrids is
operating very well, with operating costs down, and miles between chargeable
trouble calls up, compared to the Bredas. Small retrofits have been done on
the Caterpillar C9 engine and Allison hybrid drive, but overall, this has been
a very trouble-free new technology introduction.
Electric Trolley Buses
To replace life-expired 1987 MAN articulated trolley buses, 59 Bredas are being
converted into straight trolley buses. Five are completed at present, and project
completion is projected for June 2006. The conversion process includes engine,
transmission and radiator removal, addition of ABS on the third axle, rebuilding
of the driver’s station, removal of some seats to enhance leg room and
re-upholstery of the rest, upgrading to LED destination signs, and upgrading
to Kiepe current collection equipment. Remaining Bredas are being cannibalized
for a supply of spare parts.
The fleet of 100 2002 Gillig/Alstom/Randtronics trolley buses continues in operation,
with a couple of retrofits underway to solve problems with electrical corrosion
in one of the traction motor bearings and a slight jerk at start-up.
Fuel
ULSD is in use at all bases. Metro has a small grant to demonstrate B5 biodiesel.
It is in use at two of seven bus bases. There are no plans to expand the demo
or increase the mix ratio given the high price of bio-diesel. It has been
operating without issues in Cummins and CAT products.
Michael Voris Supervisor, Transit Fleet Procurement King County Metro
mike.voris@metrokc.gov
New Flyer -Clean propulsion update
New Flyer continues to lead in the development and commercialization of hybrid
and alternate fuel technologies, with over 2500 natural gas vehicles and over
300 hybrid vehicles in revenue service in North America. In late 2004, New Flyer
was awarded Calstart’s prestigious Blue Sky Award for outstanding marketplace
contributions to advanced, sustainable transportation. During 2005, 76 gasoline-electric
heavy-duty buses will be delivered to six California properties, marking the
first order of its kind in North America. This year, the world’s first
hydrogen-electric bus, which was built by New Flyer with the hydrogen-hybrid
drive system designed and installed by ISE Corporation, was put into service
in California after successful cold-weather testing in Winnipeg, MB.
Amy Miller Director of Marketing New Flyer 711 Kernaghan Avenue Winnipeg, MB,
Canada R2C 3T4 (amy_miller@newflyer.com)
(204) 224-6613
FAIRFAX CONNECTOR - Emissions reduction program
The FAIRFAX CONNECTOR Section (FCS) has developed a phased Emissions reduction
program for the FAIRFAX CONNECTOR bus system. FCS worked with the following
organizations to develop the emissions reduction program: Yellow/Connex Bus
Industries, the service provider for the FAIRFAX CONNECTOR; Parsons Brinkerhoff
(PB), a fleet management consultant; Fairfax County Department of Vehicle Services
(DVS); and local transit providers such as Washington Metropolitan Area Transit
Authority (WMATA) in developing this program.
The emission reduction program designed by FCS for the FAIRFAX CONNECTOR is a
multi phased program as follows:
- Ultra Low Sulfur diesel (ULSD) conversion
- Huntington Division – 2003
- Herndon Division – March 1, 2005
- Engine re-programming for ULSD
- Huntington Division – 2003
- Herndon Division – April 1, 2005
- Idling Policy
- Operations – November 2004
- Maintenance – April 2005
- Engine re-programming for Horse power reduction
- Pilot – May 2005
- Full program - 2006
- Diesel Particulate Filter System (DPF) installation
- Pilot (plan outline attached) – May 2005
- Full program - 2006
- Purchase hybrid vehicles as support vehicles
- 50 % - May 2005
- 90% - 2009
Develop bus specs including DPF system – January 4, 2005
FAIRFAX CONNECTOR Fleet statistics:
- Fleet size – 170 revenue vehicles
- 119 - 40 foot transit buses
- 23 – 35 foot transit buses
- 25 – 30 foot transit buses
- 3 – 27 foot transit vehicles
- Average age of revenue vehicle – 7.9 years
- Support Vehicles – 20 vehicles
- 10 hybrid vehicles
- 2 service trucks
- 8 non-hybrid vehicles
FCS will continue to develop and implement programs to reduce Emission. If
you need any other information please let me know.
Kris Miller
Fairfax County Department of Transportation
12055 Government Center Pkwy
Fairfax, VA 22035
703-324-1123
(Kris.Miller@fairfaxcounty.gov)
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