New Flyer Unveils SmartRider Advanced Bus Keel and Smart Leveling

New Flyer Industries Canada ULC has announced the unveiling of SmartRider technology – an industry first in fully-accessible level boarding from curb to aisle – on the Xcelsior heavy-duty transit bus platform.

SmartRider is an advanced smart leveling system developed by New Flyer, providing unmatched accessibility using intelligent kneeling with variable height capability to minimize slope difference between a low-floor ramp and the bus floor. SmartRider uses intelligent technology to kneel and automatically adjust to environmental surroundings, and to offer optimized boarding from the curb to the aisle. It also features New Flyer’s first all-electric wheelchair ramp with a two-degree slope, higher load carrying capability, and an optimized undercarriage for better control and accessibility.

Buses equipped with SmartRider can monitor pressure at each wheel enabling faster diagnosis, while also offering advanced chassis control with optimized air consumption. Overall, the system enhances stability, ride, and handling of low-floor transit buses on uneven road surfaces.

The unveiling and exclusive demonstrations occured at the Canadian Urban Transit Association Annual Conference and Canadian Transit Show November 18-21 in Toronto.

“New Flyer’s SmartRider system is a breakthrough in public transit accessibility,” said Chris Stoddart, senior vice president, engineering and customer service. “New Flyer has led the innovation of low-floor accessibility for decades, and with the introduction of SmartRider, we continue advancing technology in public transit and are proud to offer North America’s most accessible transit bus.”

New Flyer anticipates SmartRider to be available for production on Xcelsior heavy-duty transit buses mid-2019.