BUS EFFICIENCY ENHANCEMENTS RESEARCH AND DEMONSTRATIONS

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the availability of $3.0 million of Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 research funds for innovative research, development, and demonstration projects targeting Bus Efficiency Enhancements, specifically enhanced Electrification of Accessories, and improvements in Thermal Management of Bus Bodies.FY 2012 FTA National Research Program (Section 5312/5314) funding is to promote the development and demonstration of targeted energy efficiency-enhancing technologies – specifically enhanced Electrification of Accessories and improvements in Thermal Management of Bus Bodies – for buses utilized in public transportation. In addition to reducing energy use by transit buses, projects funded as a result of this notice could have favorable impacts on meeting the needs of the riding public, public transportation operators, and the American bus industry and its supplier base, while simultaneously advancing the Department’s research goals, which include but are not limited to improving safety, enhancing the state of good repair of transit systems, providing more effective and efficient public transportation service, increasing capital and operating efficiencies, developing and deploying advanced vehicle designs and technology, reducing harmful emissions, and increasing energy efficiency. These projects will support an overarching FTA goal of developing and deploying new and innovative ideas, practices, and approaches for transit buses.