Mass Transit

SEP-OCT 2014

Mass Transit magazine features agency profiles, industry trends, management tips and new product information.

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92 | Mass Transit | MassTransitmag.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 Want to learn more? Visit Us at Booth # 2123 During the APTA Expo Email: info@availTec.com or call 814Ǧ234Ǧ3394 ext. 1062 Ǩ For more information, visit www.MassTransitmag.com/10064948 it may not be worth the switch given the cost recovery during the lifetime of the bus and the upfront capital costs to make the switch. Public fueling stations like one in place in Commerce, California, positioned 1 mile away from where buses are housed can help smaller agencies recoup the costs. Cold weather agencies also have con- cerns about the usage of natural gas, but issues can be worked out in the design phase of the transition. "A lot of times, these agencies may have tried natural gas before back in 1990 or whenever and they may have had a lot of issues, but given how much the tech- nology has matured we have a lot more agencies looking at it now," he said. "But some of these guys who tried it back then remember it being a pain, so they're not sure if they want to try it again or they're not sure if the problems were resolved or if the technology has improved." Hybrids One of the most popular fuel-saving op- tions from the automobile realm some transit agencies have embraced is the use of hybrid drive systems. With elec- tric-diesel hybrids being used across North America for years, there has been a lot of questions and successes surround- ing the technology, however, many people still aren't sure what it really is. "A lot of people in the industry don't understand what a hybrid does," said Lawrence Zepp, chief technologist for CrossPoint Kinetics. "Half of the people I talk to own a hybrid car and they don't understand what it is either." Hybrids in transit use electric motors in conjunction with traditional engines to cre- ate a way to capture power, store it in either a battery or ultracapacitor system, then use it to help move the vehicle or restart an en- gine that shuts of during a prolonged idle. In transit, hybird systems are used on buses or paratransit vehicles and the sys- tems use electricity. Zepp said some transit hybrids are looking at using a hydraulic hybrid system using pressurized oil, like delivery vehicles use, however, those EVEN SMALL agencies can swtich to alternative fuels if they explore the right option for their area. Pelivan Transit "Half of the people I talk to own a hybrid car and they don't understand what it is either." FUELING CHANGE

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