Proving-ground comparison of M. A. N. methanol and diesel transit buses. Interim report, January-August 1988

Technical Report · Sat Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988

OSTI ID:6261087

Francis, G A; King, R D

The UMTA Methanol Bus Demonstration Program was established to develop information concerning safety, cost of ownership, maintainability, public health, and reliability issues arising from the operation of methanol-fueled transit buses. The report is the first of a series of proving-ground comparisons of methanol demonstration and diesel-control transit buses. The tests included cold and warm weather tests of three methanol-fueled and three diesel-fueled M.A.N. transit buses taken from revenue service at Seattle Metro, Washington. Three methanol test buses from the demonstration fleet and three diesel control buses were compared under carefully controlled proving-ground conditions. Buses were tested for driveability, acceleration and gradeability, and noise. It is recommended that the methanol-demonstration proving-ground comparisons of methanol and diesel buses be continued, tests be performed with buses by other manufacturers, and that future comparative testing be limited to buses and engines available to bus purchasers on a current basis.

• Research Organization: Battelle Columbus Div., OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6261087
• Report Number(s): PB-89-158455/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320203* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Transportation-- Land & Roadway
AIR POLLUTION
ALCOHOL FUELS
BUSES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DIESEL FUELS
DOCUMENT TYPES
FUELS
MAINTENANCE
MASS TRANSIT SYSTEMS
METHANOL FUELS
NOISE
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
POLLUTION
PROGRESS REPORT
SAFETY
SYNTHETIC FUELS
TEST FACILITIES
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS
VEHICLES