National Center for Accessible Transportation Community Bus Transportation: An Emerging Transit Mode Kate Hunter-Zaworski, Ph.D., P.E. Director, NCAT TRANSED 2007 Montreal Canada

National Center for Accessible Transportation Outline 1.Overview of new transit mode 2.Route characteristics 3.Vehicle Characteristics 4.Case Study 5.Ergonomic Challenge

National Center for Accessible Transportation 1. Community Public Transit What is it? What is it? Who does it serve? Who does it serve? How is it different from current modes? How is it different from current modes?

National Center for Accessible Transportation 2. Route Structure Fixed Route Fixed Route Flexible Route Flexible Route Hybrid Routes Hybrid Routes Flexible service hours Flexible service hours

National Center for Accessible Transportation 3. Vehicles Typically smaller – passengers Typically smaller – passengers Built on truck chassis Built on truck chassis High Floor High Floor 8-10 year life expectancy 8-10 year life expectancy

National Center for Accessible Transportation

Vehicle Challenges Steps Steps Lifts Lifts Front, Side or Rear Front, Side or Rear Mobility Aid Securement Mobility Aid Securement Internal circulation Internal circulation Ride quality Ride quality Lighting Lighting

National Center for Accessible Transportation

So what is the problem? Current vehicles do not meet needs of seniors and people with disabilities Current vehicles do not meet needs of seniors and people with disabilities Current low floor smaller vehicles do not have long service life Current low floor smaller vehicles do not have long service life

National Center for Accessible Transportation Universal Design for Vehicles Low floor Low floor Mobility Aid Accommodation Mobility Aid Accommodation Seats for All Seats for All Comfortable Ride Quality Comfortable Ride Quality 8-10 year service life 8-10 year service life

National Center for Accessible Transportation Potential Vehicles – Top Five The Friendly Bus, by Dallas Smith Corp. The Friendly Bus, by Dallas Smith Corp. Hybrid HD Senator Citibus, by Azure Hybrid HD Senator Citibus, by Azure Titan II, by Glaval Titan II, by Glaval LC Series, by IC Corp. LC Series, by IC Corp. President Low Floor, by Startrans President Low Floor, by Startrans

National Center for Accessible Transportation President Low Floor, Startrans  10” Entry  19,000 Lbs GVW  19 passengers + 2 W.C.  12,000 General Warranty

National Center for Accessible Transportation LC Series, IC Corp.  14.5” Entry, with 11” kneel  20,500 lbs GVW  Assumed - 19 passengers, or W.C.  Chassis – Custom made by International

National Center for Accessible Transportation

Titan II, Glaval  Higher Floor  12,300 lbs GVW  14 passengers + 2 W.C.  5 year or 150k mile warranty  Chassis – GMC G- Cutaway

National Center for Accessible Transportation Hybrid HD Senator Citibus, Azure  Higher floor – 12” at first step  Passengers + 2 W.C.  Electric Hybrid Motor  Chassis – Workhorse W42

National Center for Accessible Transportation The Friendly Bus, Dallas Smith Corp.  8” Entry, or 5” kneel  18,000 lbs GVW  15 Passengers, or W.C.  Chassis – Ford F450 Lo-Floor

National Center for Accessible Transportation 4. Case Studies Translink – Vancouver B.C. Oregon Paratransit Operators

National Center for Accessible Transportation Small Vehicle Issues Common to most transit agencies Limited number of vehicles in market Challenge to industry to develop innovative and sustainable solutions

National Center for Accessible Transportation Community Shuttle - Translink Essential component of multi-modal transit system Reaches out into lower density neighborhoods Serves seniors and also people with disabilities

National Center for Accessible Transportation 5. Ergonomic Challenges Steep steps at front of vehicle Mobility Aid lift at back side of vehicle Limited Securement Space Poor Ride Quality Wheelchairs ride behind rear axle Problems with over-size Mobility Aids

National Center for Accessible Transportation 5. Industry Challenges Lack of low floor vehicles with service life expectations required by public transportation Lack of low floor vehicles with service life expectations required by public transportation Limited market size Limited market size Need to also consider fuel options Need to also consider fuel options

National Center for Accessible Transportation Acknowledgement Thank you to the students in Public Transportation Class at Oregon State University for their assistance with this project. Thank you to all the transit agencies who keep asking for new low floor small vehicles. Thank you to the students in Public Transportation Class at Oregon State University for their assistance with this project. Thank you to all the transit agencies who keep asking for new low floor small vehicles.

National Center for Accessible Transportation

CONTACT US National Center for Accessible Transportation 220 Owen Hall Oregon State University Corvallis, OR, Tel: