Research Results Show Promise for Advanced Bus Design

To help broaden the practical uses for transit buses in rural and small urban areas, a research team from the Mineta National Transit Research Consortium (MNTRC) tested a new, advanced bus design. Their peer-reviewed report, Advanced Low-Floor Vehicle (ALFV) Specification Research, evaluated market comparisons, operational cost efficiencies, and prototype tests. Results showed a savings on operational costs, but several design adjustments are necessary for a final version. Principal investigator was Suresh Iyer, PhD, working with Partha Mishra and David Klinikowski. The free report is available for download at http://transweb.sjsu.edu/project/1151.html

“This study comes in light of what is required by federal mandate, what is available now, and what may be needed in the future,” said Dr. Iyer. “It is also intended to extend the way manufacturing and procurement can meet the transit industry’s increasing requirements to serve the public. This is especially true in rural areas with challenging road surfaces or in small urban areas that may have insufficient transit funds. 

The research team tested a prototype purpose-built, low-floor, diesel-powered, 25-seat, 26-foot (8-meter) bus. Ride Solution, Inc., of Putnam County, Florida, developed the bus for the Federal Transit Administration’s Advanced Low-Floor Vehicle Specifications Research project.

It is well designed for flex-route operation

Unique features include a low floor with no steps (therefore, no need for a wheelchair lift) and the ability to carry 25 passengers, or five wheelchairs, or six gurneys, or a combination of these. This feature is especially valuable for disaster evacuations or for routes serving nursing homes and veterans’ hospitals. The shortest rear overhang in its category allows operation on rural, unpaved roads.

The manufacturer predicts that the welded steel structure will improve the shell life to 20 years or more. Locating the engine/transmission in a cradle aids in low replacement time for the power unit. Internet connectivity is available for passengers and to help with maintenance. Good ground clearance is also designed into the bus, as well as good traction and stability, a longer service life, and a low lifetime cost.

In fact, if the ALFV serves out its predicted 20-year life, it potentially can deliver operational savings that offset the purchase price.

The report includes 34 tables and 20 figures, such as specifications; suspension travel data; turning radius data form; fields of view; ADA compliant checklists; time data for wheelchair securement; scheduled maintenance; savings vs. purchase price; and more. The full 101-page report is available for free download from http://transweb.sjsu.edu/project/1132.html