An Electric Bus Deployment Framework for Improved Air Quality and Transit Operational Efficiency

Public transit, compared with passenger cars, can effectively help conserve energy, reduce air pollution, and optimize flow on roadways. In recent years, Battery Electric Bus (BEB) is receiving an increasing amount of attention from transit vehicle industry and transit agencies due to recent advances in battery technologies and the direct environmental benefits it can offer (e.g. zero emission, less noise). However, limited efforts have been attempted on the effective deployment planning of BEB system due to the unique spatiotemporal features associated with the system itself (e.g. driving range, bus scheduling). In this project, the research team proposes to develop an innovative spatiotemporal analytical framework and web-based visualization platform to assist transit agencies in identifying the optimal deployment strategies for the BEB system by using a combination of mathematical programming methods, geographic information system (GIS)-based analysis, and multi-objective optimization techniques. The framework will allow transit agencies to optimally phase in BEB infrastructure and deploy the BEB system in a way that can minimize the capital and operational cost of BEB system while maximizing its environmental benefits (i.e. emission reduction). The team will engage three transit agencies - the Utah Transit Authority (UTA), TriMet, and Riverside Transit Agency (RTA), with the first two already in the planning phase of BEB deployment - to evaluate the usability of the platform. The web-based visualization platform will operationalize the framework and make it accessible to transit planners, decision-makers and the public. The proposed project fits the NITC theme on increasing access to opportunities, improving multi-modal planning, and developing data, models, and tools for better decision-making. The research will help transit agencies develop optimal deployment strategies for BEB systems, allowing planners and decision makers to create transportation systems that better serve livable and sustainable communities.

Record URL:

Project

Status: Proposed
Funding: $329,940
Contract Numbers:
NITC 1222
Sponsor Organizations:
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

University Transportation Centers Program
Department of Transportation
Washington, DC United States 20590

Portland State University

Urban Studies and Planning
P.O. Box 751
Portland, Oregon United States 97207

Utah Science Technology and Research

Salt Lake City, United States

Concord Engineering

705 2nd Ave
Seattle, WA United States 98104

University of California, Riverside

1084 Columbia Ave.
Riverside, CA United States 92507
Managing Organizations:
TREC at Portland State University

1900 SW Fourth Ave, Suite 175
P.O. Box 751
Portland, Oregon United States 97201
Project Managers:
Hagedorn, Hau
Performing Organizations:
University of Utah, Salt Lake City

Department of Geography
Salt Lake City, UT United States 84112

Portland State University

Urban Studies and Planning
P.O. Box 751
Portland, Oregon United States 97207

University of California, Riverside

1084 Columbia Ave.
Riverside, CA United States 92507
Principal Investigators:
Liu, Xiaoyue

Wei, Ran
Start Date: 20181201
Expected Completion Date: 20200331
Actual Completion Date: 0
USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

TRT Terms: Air quality; Electric buses; Geographic information systems; Implementation; Optimization; Transit operating agencies; Visualization
Identifier Terms: Riverside Transit Agency; TriMet (Portland, Oregon); Utah Transit Authority
Subject Areas: Environment; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

Accession Number: 01674846
Record Type: Research project
Source Agency: National Institute for Transportation and Communities
Contract Numbers: NITC 1222
Files: UTC, RiP
Created Date: Jul 5 2018 1:55PM