Natural Gas Systems

In 2013 there were about 4,600 heavy-duty trucks, 5,800 medium-duty trucks, and over 20,000 transit buses operating on natural gas. However, the FMCSRs regarding natural gas had not been updated. Examples of changes needed were the labeling of vehicles, height clearance requirements, inspection requirements, training requirements for mechanics, leak detection requirements, and conformance of the FMCSRs to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 52 (e.g., removal of the ban on compressed natural gas tanks above the passenger compartment). A literature review of current consensus-based codes, standards, and best practices was completed. A review of incidents involving natural gas commercial vehicles was also completed based on data from the Master List of Natural Gas Vehicles Incidents maintained by the Department of Energy and from the National Fire Incident Reporting System. By May 2012, all site visits and consultations with stakeholders (truck original equipment manufacturers, designers/makers of natural gas fuel systems, fleet owners/operators, commercial vehicle enforcement, and inspection agencies) were completed.

• Record URL:
  https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/research-and-analysis/technology/natural-gas-systems
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Program information: Improve Safety of CMVs

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $89000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  DTMC75-11-P-00070

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Department of Transportation

  Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC    20590
• Project Managers:

  Kwan, Quon

• Performing Organizations:

  M.J. Bradley & Associates, Incorporated

  1000 Elm Street, 2nd Floor
  Manchester, NH  United States  03101
• Start Date: 20110901
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 20121231
• Source Data: RiP Project 35264

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Inspection; Motor carriers; Natural gas vehicles; Vehicle safety
• Subject Areas: Energy; Highways; Motor Carriers; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01492609
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
• Contract Numbers: DTMC75-11-P-00070
• Files: RIP
• Created Date: Sep 11 2013 1:00AM