1. BRT Vehicles: Latest Technologies and Procurement Trends Cliff Henke Sr. Analyst, BRT and Small Starts Parsons Brinckerhoff Americas APTA/TRB BRT Conference, Seattle May 2009 Cliff Henke Sr. Analyst, BRT and Small Starts Parsons Brinckerhoff Americas APTA/TRB BRT Conference, Seattle May 2009

2. Topics Today  What Is A BRT Vehicle?  Example Vehicles Projects  Market Trends  Discussion  What Is A BRT Vehicle?  Example Vehicles Projects  Market Trends  Discussion

3. What’s A BRT Vehicle? New Flyer Invero i40 LF Irisbus Civis Standard Artic Stylized Artic Specialized Stylized Std New Flyer Hybrid Electric DE60LF NABI CompoBus 45 C LFW Gillig 40 LF NABI CNG 60 BRT

4. The European bus design challenge

5. Las Vegas Has Led Challenge to U.S. Builders  Driven by image and BRT needs

6. U.S. Manufacturers Have Responded  Driven by environmental and BRT needs

7. North American Vehicles Now with Doors on Both Sides NABI 60-BRT hybrid demo New Flyer 60DELFBRT hybrid for Cleveland Health Line

8. High-Comfort, Amenities  Interior Finish  Large Windows  Luggage Racks  Information  Grab Bars  Interior Finish  Large Windows  Luggage Racks  Information  Grab Bars Rear Window Multiple Doors Circulation Seat Comfort Fast Securement

9. Range of BRT Vehicles, Costs ModelBody TypePropulsionCost (US$) 40-ft. low-floor StandardDiesel or CNG mech. $340,000- $380,000 45-ft. low-floor StylizedDiesel or CNG mech. $550,000- $720,000 60-ft. low-floor Standard artic Diesel or CNG mech. $480,000- $520,000 60-ft. low-floor StylizedDiesel or CNG mech. $650,000- $800,000 60-ft. low-floor StylizedHybrid$950,000 +

10. What Onboard Technologies Are Critical to BRT Success? BRT System Success Measures Speed & Capacity Adv. Propulsion AmenitiesStyling Ridership Increase System Capacity, Travel Time Capital Savings, Operational Saving Boarding/Exit Time, Accessibility Bus Emissions, Noise Economic Development, Land Use Convenience/Frequency/Reliability? Safety Perception, Cleanliness, Style

11. Passenger Information At Stations LA: Metro Rapid Bus On Board Paris: Val de Marne Busway

12. Other Info Technologies Also Have Income Streams  On-Board Wi-Fi (L.A., Miami, various European cities)  On-Board and Station Advertising with Next-Bus Info  “Transit TV”  On-Board Wi-Fi (L.A., Miami, various European cities)  On-Board and Station Advertising with Next-Bus Info  “Transit TV”

13. Hybrid will surpass CNG for most BRT Propulsion  28% of total will be hybrids  One-third to be CNG (traditional drivetrain)  28% of total will be hybrids  One-third to be CNG (traditional drivetrain)

14. Docking/ Narrow Lane Guidance for speed/consistency Precision Docking—Theory:  Speed, consistency can be improved  Consistent gap can speed boarding  Same high station/curb height eliminates ramp deploy dwell time  Enables rail-like ADA compliance?? In Practice:  Not proven in USA  Benefits, cost unclear Precision Docking—Theory:  Speed, consistency can be improved  Consistent gap can speed boarding  Same high station/curb height eliminates ramp deploy dwell time  Enables rail-like ADA compliance?? In Practice:  Not proven in USA  Benefits, cost unclear Guidance - high speed in narrow lanes –Shoulder lane ROWs; Narrow bridges; Queue jump lanes –Inclement weather operations –Could save in capital cost of projects

15. BRT Vehicle Demand Growth  20% to be 40-45 footers  450 per year, 66% for new services Source: FTA 2004 Vehicle Demand Survey of 48 cities’ expected BRT bus deliveries over the next 10 years (CALSTART, 2004) 30-35 ft. buses 40-45 ft. buses Articulated buses Projected U.S. Market for BRT Vehicles

16. Pace of Technology’s Change The 1990s:  Multiple floor heights, lengths  Several fuels (and aftertreatments)  Multiple structures  Advanced electronics (multiplexing, AVL, voice annunciators, AVM, etc.) The 2000s:  Growing use of hybrids  Real-time video surveillance  Data logging and advanced diagnostics  Wi-Fi  BRT features The 1990s:  Multiple floor heights, lengths  Several fuels (and aftertreatments)  Multiple structures  Advanced electronics (multiplexing, AVL, voice annunciators, AVM, etc.) The 2000s:  Growing use of hybrids  Real-time video surveillance  Data logging and advanced diagnostics  Wi-Fi  BRT features I/O Controls’ multiplexing system

17. The Result: A “Build to Order” Market  Each order custom  Pilot bus  Wiring scheme different  Major components different (even allowed by SBPGs)  Time to market now 18 months—or less  Big reason why OEMs are financially fragile  Each order custom  Pilot bus  Wiring scheme different  Major components different (even allowed by SBPGs)  Time to market now 18 months—or less  Big reason why OEMs are financially fragile  “And now you want what?”

18. Cost of New Technology and Mandates?

19. Small But Important Vehicle Issues to Look for In Authorization, Regulations  Buy America enforcement  Altoona testing waivers  Local Preferences (e.g., In State Dealer Reqs.  Axle weight loading exemptions  Standards incentives/mandates  Procurement reforms driven by DOD etc.  Funding, Funding and More Funding  Buy America enforcement  Altoona testing waivers  Local Preferences (e.g., In State Dealer Reqs.  Axle weight loading exemptions  Standards incentives/mandates  Procurement reforms driven by DOD etc.  Funding, Funding and More Funding

20. Conclusions  Remember: BRT Is A System of Elements  Most Important Vehicle-Related System Performance Impacts:  Capacity  Doors/Seat Layout  Route Speed (Vehicle and TSP)  Route Structure/Convenience  Fleet Size = Frequency  Vehicle Reliability  Largest System Design Impacts  Branding-Related Livery and Interiors  Vehicle and Station Styling  Information/Ease of Use  Remember: BRT Is A System of Elements  Most Important Vehicle-Related System Performance Impacts:  Capacity  Doors/Seat Layout  Route Speed (Vehicle and TSP)  Route Structure/Convenience  Fleet Size = Frequency  Vehicle Reliability  Largest System Design Impacts  Branding-Related Livery and Interiors  Vehicle and Station Styling  Information/Ease of Use

21. Questions? Thank you