INL RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

The New Yellow Shuttle Bus

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The U.S. Department 

of Energyʼs Idaho 

National Laboratory, in 

conjunction with automotive 

industry leaders, the Department of Energy, Federal 

Transit Authority, the National 

Park Service, and private 

industry, has developed a 

low-floor, 18 to 32 passenger 

vehicles that uses alternative 

fuel and complies with the 

Americans with Disabilities 

Act (ADA). 

A “low-floor” bus has the 

passenger area built low to 

the ground so that no steps are 

required for entry; it also has 

a ramp that can be extended 

to accommodate passengers 

in wheelchairs. This is a 

critical and much anticipated 

improvement over the current 

generation of wheelchair-accessible shuttles.

Equally important were the 

teamʼs efforts which resulted 

in a medium-duty community/

transit shuttle with higher fuel 

efficiency and lower emissions. This new bus costs 

45% less than current lowfloor buses.

In the first phase of the project, completed in 2003, program partners developed and 

ADA-compliant, low-floor 

shuttle bus prototype. The 

development of the prototype 

followed identification of a 

need by the Nation Park Service for a year-round transit 

vehicle that could be used for 

park operations. In addition, 

amenities were incorporated 

to support tourism in the 

national parks. The second 

phase, completed in 2004, 

included unique body styling 

and increased amenities to enhance the visitor experience. 

This vehicle provides the benefits of greater fuel economy 

and range, lower emissions, 

and reduced noise vibration. 

Early market analysis indicated that the vehicle could 

have broad applications in 

municipal transit and private 

sector transportation. 

The next version of the bus 

is being developed to incorporate both liquid natural 

gas (LNG) and compressed 

natural gas (CNG), as well as 

a mechanical hybrid system 

which captures energy durUpdating a Tradition
INL RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

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ing braking, and utilizes that 

energy during acceleration. In 

addition, a state of the art intelligent transportation system 

is being integrated to support 

transit applications.

The rights for this technology 

were acquired by International Bus in September 2004. 

This vehicle became a commercially available product 

for International Bus with its 

startup in June 2005.

Partners in this project with 

the INL include Ruby Mountain, Greater Yellowstone/

Teton Clean Cities Coalition, 

ARBOC, the National Park 

Service, and ASG Renaissance. 

Other facts about the new yellow bus:

• The vehicle has rear wheel 

drive and uses air suspension and kneeling suspension.

• In the winter the bus tires 

are removed and replaced 

with snow tracks which 

allow the bus to go almost 

anywhere.

• The floor is flat with theater/stadium seating which 

slopes 1.8 degrees to the 

front.

For more information

• Presently the chassis is 

being designed to carry the 

equivalent of 40 gasoline 

gallons of compressed 

natural gas, 119 gallons of 

liquid natural gas, and the 

mechanical hybrid system, 

all between the rails.

• The vehicle platform is 

flexible enough to support several body designs 

and interior configurations. The vehicle can be 

manufactured with several 

drivetrains, including, but 

not limited to: compressed 

natural gas, liquid natural 

gas, propane, and biodiesel.

Kerry Klingler

208-526-4516

Kerry.Klingler@inl.gov

INL is a U.S. Department of 

Energy national laboratory 

operated by Battelle Energy 

Alliance

Treading Lightly

05-GA50193-74