Volpe Center Highlights - April 2000
Mobility
Director's Notes |
Focus |
Safety |
Mobility |
Human and Natural Environment |
Economic Growth and Trade |
National Security
Ensure that the transportation system is accessible, integrated and efficient, and offers flexibility of choices.
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Results from Electric Bus Testing Presented (FTA)
From March 1 to 3, 2000, Mr. David Spiewak of the Advanced Vehicle Technologies Division participated in the Electric Bus Users Workgroup meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana. This bi-annual event, hosted by the Electric Power Research Institute, brings together transit operators, manufacturers, and others interested in electric bus issues. Mr. Spiewak presented findings from the Altoona Bus Testing Management Oversight Study that he performed for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
All new model buses must undergo testing as part of a federally mandated program prior to purchase with federal funds. The testing program is administered at the Altoona Bus Research and Testing Center in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Additional facilities are located at the Bus Research and Testing Facility of the Pennsylvania Transportation Institute in State College, Pennsylvania. Last year, the FTA and industry agreed upon a new test regime for electric buses. Because the test process is new to electric bus users, many of the participants at previous meetings expressed an interest in learning more about the mandated program.
Only one electric bus has completed testing at Altoona, and the bus manufacturer, Mr. Rick Hitchcock of Advanced Vehicle Systems of Chattanooga, Tennessee, discussed the test results of that vehicle. The next workgroup meeting is slated from September 19 to 21, 2000.
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The Bus Research and Testing Facility of the Pennsylvania Transportation Institute in State College, Pennsylvania
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