**[ALTERNATIVE FUEL BUS RESOURCES]{.underline}**

Here are some up-to-date resources on alternative fuel buses.  These
include guidance on both vehicle selection and fueling facility design. 
The most recent publications are listed first. \
\
**WestStart publications (quarterly)**

-   The Hydrogen Bus Source: a quarterly publication that will report on
    fuel cell and hydrogen technology in transit bus applications.
    Published by WestStart-CALSTART, its goal is to assist fuel cell bus
    technology developers, manufacturers, and operators by providing
    information and analysis about the latest developments relevant to
    the industry. 
    <http://www.calstart.org/programs/FuelCell/Hydrogen_Bus_Source.php>

 

-   Hybrid Truck Users Forum (H-TUF): The *Hybrid DiaLog* newsletter,
    which captures all recent H-TUF activities, studies, news and
    decisions.
    <http://www.calstart.org/programs/htuf/htuf_hybriddialog.php>

**Clean Cities Coalition Vehicle Buyer's Guide for Fleets (continuously
updated)**

-   Complete listing and specs of currently available, alternative-fuel
    transit buses, shuttle buses, trolleys, trucks and more.
    <http://www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/vbg/fleets/progs/hsearch_class.cgi>

 

-   A wealth of information on alternative fuels infrastructure
    development for a variety of fuels, including
    [biodiesel](http://www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/vbg/fleets/bio_resources.html),
    [electricity](http://www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/vbg/fleets/elec_resources.html),
    [hydrogen](http://www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/vbg/fleets/hydr_resources.html),
    [natural gas (CNG and
    LNG)](http://www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/vbg/fleets/gas_resources.html),
    and
    [propane](http://www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/vbg/fleets/prop_resources.html).
    <http://www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/vbg/fleets/infrastructure_resources.html>

**\
\
Emergency Response Procedures for Natural Gas Transit Vehicles (2005)**

TRB's Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 58:
Emergency Response Procedures for Natural Gas Transit Vehicles
identifies and documents the state of the practice on emergency response
protocols to incidents involving natural gas-filled transit buses.  The
report is designed to assist first responders to natural gas
incidents---emergency response professionals such as police officers and
fire-fighters; transit agency operations and maintenance employees,
police, and security guards; and certain members of the general public.
<http://gulliver.trb.org/publications/tcrp/tcrp_syn_58.pdf>

**\
Analysis of Electric Drive Technologies for Transit Applications:
Battery-Electric, Hybrid-Electric, and Fuel Cells**

The Federal Transit Administration has released a report that examines
the state of electric drive technology for transit buses; the benefits
of major market penetration of electric drive buses to both transit and
the broader community; and the barriers that remain to achieving this
goal. <http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/Electric_Drive_Bus_Analysis.pdf>

**\
Design Guidelines for Bus Transit Systems Using Electric and
Hybrid-Electric Propulsion as an Alternative Fuel (2003)**

The use of alternative fuels to power transit buses is steadily
increasing. Several fuels, including Compressed Natural Gas (CNG),
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), and
Methanol/Ethanol, are already being used. At present, there are no
available comprehensive facility guidelines to assist transit agencies
contemplating converting from diesel to electric of hybrid electric
propulsion. This document addresses that need. This guidelines document
presents various facility and bus design issues that need to be
considered to ensure safe operations when using electric or hybrid
electric propulsion. Fueling facility, garaging facility, maintenance
facility requirements and safety practices are indicated. Among the
issues discussed are electric storage device properties, potential
hazards, requirements for specified level of service, and applicable
codes and standards. Critical fuel related safety issues in the design
of the related systems on the bus are also discussed. A system safety
assessment and hazard resolution process is also presented. This
approach may be used to select design strategies which are economical,
yet ensure a specified level of safety. 
<http://transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov/publications/cleanair/DesignGuidelines/PDF/DesignGuidelines.pdf>

**\
Clean Air Program: Design Guidelines for Bus Transit Systems Using
Hydrogen as an Alternative Fuel (1998)**

Similar to the above.\
<http://transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov/publications/CleanAir/BTS/BTSDesignGuidelines.pdf>

**\
Guidebook for Evaluating, Selecting, and Implementing Fuel Choices for
Transit Bus Operations (1998)**

TRB\'s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Report 38: Guidebook
for Evaluating, Selecting, and Implementing Fuel Choices for Transit Bus
Operations This guidebook and its accompanying cost-model spreadsheet
(FuelCost 1.0) will be of interest to transit managers, policymakers,
operations and maintenance professionals, and others considering the
deployment of, or conversion to, alternative fuel buses. The guidebook
and FuelCost 1.0 provide tools to simplify the process of developing an
alternative fuel strategy by clearly identifying the issues, and the
costs and benefits associated with the conversion to various available
alternative fuel technologies.\
<http://gulliver.trb.org/publications/tcrp/tcrp_rpt_38-a.pdf>

**\
Safe Operating Procedures for Alternative Fuel Buses (1993)**

TRB's Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 1: Safe
Operating Procedures for Alternative Fuel Buses includes information on
the use of methanol, ethanol, compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied
petroleum gas (LPG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), and other alternative
fuels for buses. <http://gulliver.trb.org/publications/tcrp/tsyn01.pdf>

**Analysis of Fuels and Propulsion System Options for BRT Vehicles**
(2005)

This [new
publication](http://www.nps.gov/transportation/alt/documents/Analysis_Fuels_Propulsion.pdf)
is a must read for those who are making decisions about new buses. It
will answer the questions: What BRT fuels and technologies are currently
available? Which are emerging? Will they meet the preferences and
requirements of transit purchasers while also satisfying long-term
emissions and energy considerations? This publication is an important
tool for transit professionals as they develop their vehicle
technology/fuels roadmap

**FTA Release Hybrid Bus Analysis 700 Hybrid Buses in More Than 40
Agencies**

In the last five years, hybrid-electric buses have grown from a
demonstration technology to a popular option for transit agencies
looking to \"green\" their fleets and reduce fuel use, with over 700
buses in service at over 40 transit agencies across North America. The
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Northeast Advanced Vehicle
Consortium (NAVC) have released a report that documents the current
understanding of hybrid bus technology, as revealed through the latest
hybrid bus data and the views of transit industry representatives. The
report, entitled Analysis of Electric Drive Technologies For Transit
Applications: Battery-Electric, Hybrid-Electric, and Fuel Cells,
explores the current state of hybrid buses, the benefits of major market
penetration of hybrid buses for transit and communities, and the
barriers that remain to achieving this goal. The report also looks at
the current state of battery and fuel cell buses. The report\'s findings
are that transit believes that hybrids are an appealing clean option,
with good performance, low emissions, and lower fuel costs. However,
major hurdles remain to make hybrids commercially competitive with
current diesel buses. These hurdles involve the higher purchase price of
a hybrid bus; uncertainties about lifecycle costs; durability of the
batteries; and emissions certification issues. [Analysis of Electric
Drive Technologies For Transit Applications: Battery-Electric,
Hybrid-Electric,](http://www.nps.gov/transportation/tmp/documents/Electric_Drive_Bus_Analysis.pdf)
(pdf)

**Bus Axle Weight Regulations**

This study examines the pavement damage cost that results from heavy bus
operation, and the costs and benefits of several weight reduction
strategies. The benefit-cost evaluation considers many things\.....\
[Axle Weight Regulation of  Transit Buses and
Motorcoaches](http://www.nps.gov/transportation/alt/documents/Bus_Axle.pdf)
(pdf)

**Design Guidelines for Bus Transit Systems Using Electric and Hybrid
Electric Propulsion as an Alternative Fuel (March 2003)**

FTA has funded a number of electric and hybrid-electric bus
demonstration projects. Electric and hybrid-electric buses offer a way
to reduce local emissions without potentially costly alternative fuel
infrastructure costs. These guidelines are useful for operations,
training, and bus procurement activities.

[Design Guidelines for Electric/Hybrid Electric Bus
Transit](http://transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov/publications/cleanair/DesignGuidelines/HTML/DesignGuidelines.htm)\
\
\
\
**Characteristics of Bus Rapid Transit**

\"Characteristics of Bus Rapid Transit for Decision-Making\", published
by the Federal Transit Administration, should be a very useful tool for
evaluating and planning potential bus rapid transit projects.

[Characteristics of Bus Rapid Transit for
Decision-Making](http://www.fta.dot.gov/2340_16085_ENG_HTML.htm)\
\
\
\
**TCRP Report 61 Analyzing the Costs of Operating Small Transit
Vehicles\
**\
This User's Guide explains the accompanying Small Transit Vehicle
economics (***STV*e**) model---a tool designed for transit planners and
others making decisions about the purchase of small transit vehicles for
different services and operating environments.

<http://gulliver.trb.org/publications/tcrp/tcrp_rpt_61.pdf>