Technical Development Program -- Brief 1, Spring 1993
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Summary
This document outlines the United States Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Technology Development Program as of Spring 1993, aiming to optimize capital investments and introduce innovations to meet 21st-century transportation needs. The program addresses the growing demand for improved technologies that reduce costs, enhance environmental acceptability, and increase system reliability for high-capacity travel options, including fixed guideways, bus systems, and magnetic levitation. The FTA coordinates these efforts through a Federal Technology Advisory Committee and regular workshops to align industry priorities with federal goals. A primary focus of the program is the Advanced Technology Transit Bus (ATTB), designed to establish new industry standards for low-floor, lightweight vehicles. The ATTB design is driven by legislative mandates, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Clean Air Act (CAA), and the Energy Policy Act (EPACT). To comply with Federal Highway Administration axle weight limits, the ATTB must reduce curb weight by 4,000 to 10,000 pounds compared to current heavy-duty buses. This requires a ground-up redesign using high-strength, lightweight materials such as carbon fiber composites, aluminum, and high-strength steels, rather than traditional mild or stainless steel. These weight reductions aim to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions. Additionally, the ATTB incorporates alternative fuels like compressed natural gas to meet stricter emission standards and reduce dependence on foreign petroleum, though this introduces challenges regarding vehicle weight, passenger space, and fueling infrastructure. Accessibility requirements under the ADA dictate a maximum floor height of 15 inches to facilitate practical wheelchair ramp usage and enable single-step ingress for all passengers, thereby reducing dwell times. Conceptual designs are being developed by the Southern California Rapid Transit District and Houston METRO, with prototypes scheduled for testing in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and revenue service evaluation. The document also details a Suspended Light Rail Transit (SLRT) Pilot Project authorized by Congress to assess the feasibility, cost benefits, and environmental impacts of monorail-style systems. Three agencies were selected for Phase I planning studies: the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District, Milwaukee County, and Montgomery County, Maryland. These projects propose using SLRT systems for specific applications, such as connecting medical complexes, office parks, and airport terminals, utilizing technologies like the Aerobus, Piasecki Airtrain, and American Guideway Corporation systems. Furthermore, the FTA supports various technology development initiatives across the transit industry. These include advanced train control and signaling systems for San Francisco BART and New York City Transit to increase capacity and safety; real-time passenger information displays for New Jersey Transit; and vehicle location systems for precise tracking. Other initiatives involve evaluating robotics for maintenance efficiency, improving intermodal transfers, testing inertial navigation systems in Pittsburgh, and analyzing Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage and Magnetic Levitation feasibility. The program also supports research into energy management techniques, tunneling technology, and computerized brake testing to enhance operational efficiency and safety.
Key finding
The ATTB program mandates a curb weight reduction of 4,000 to 10,000 pounds and a maximum floor height of 15 inches to comply with federal regulations and improve accessibility.
Methodology
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