Atlanta, GA - March 2015 - CTE will manage four research grants totaling more than $3 million to develop cleaner safer transit bus options around the country. The projects will collectively develop and demonstrate anti-idling technologies and improve electric drive bus capabilities in partnership with manufacturers, engineering firms, universities and transit agencies.The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced a total of $3 million to fund 5 projects nationwide as part of the Bus Efficiency Enhancements Research and Demonstration Program (BEERD). While BEERD is a relatively small program, CTE was awarded 3 out of the 5 available projects and received 74% of the total funding.
The CTE projects include the development and demonstration of a new thermoelectric power generator on a 40' transit bus contributed by Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (LYNX). Project partners include LYNX Transit, Hi-Z, Space Coast Energy Consortium, International Trade Bridge, Future Impact, and Florida Solar Energy Center. The new bus will reduce fuel consumption and allow end of day information processing without idling.
CTE will also be partnering with Utah Transit Authority (UTA) to develop and demonstrate a system that will eliminate or reduce idling during paratransit passenger loading operations, lowering operating costs, reducing energy usage, and improving air quality. CEM, TWA, and the University of Utah, among others, will be assisting CTE and UTA in the project.The third BEERD project awarded to CTE involves the development and demonstration of a BAE Systems prototype Reduced Engine Idle Load System. This first-of-its-kind effort will bring a multimode electric accessory ‘power plant' to market. Project partners include Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) and BAE Systems.
FTA also announced 13 awards under the Innovative Safety, Resiliency, and All-Hazards Emergency Response and Recovery Demonstration Project. CTE was awarded the Bus Exportable Power System for Emergency Response project. This project will develop, evaluate, and plan the deployment of a bus exportable power system that will allow existing transit buses to export power using their hybrid electric propulsion systems. CTE partnered with the University of Texas - Center for Electromechanics and Hagerty Consulting on this project, with an award from FTA totaling $995,098.
