TheCenter for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) staff recently developed two whitepapers for the National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT): Building Successful Partnerships between Rural Transit Systems Deploying Zero-Emission Vehicles and their Electric Utilities→ and Hydrogen as a Transportation Fuel in Rural Communities→. This effort is part of N-CATT's commitment to providing small-urban, rural, and tribal transit agencies with resources to harness innovative technologies.With robust expertise in advanced clean transportation technology, CTE staff are uniquely qualified to partner with N-CATT to provide this information. Our experience in engineering, planning, and project management has helped more than 70 transit agencies in nearly every state and several countries deploy over 300 zero-emission buses.

Building Successful Partnerships Between Rural Transit Systems Deploying Zero-Emission Vehicles and their Electric Utilities

Authored by Amy Posner, Engineering Consultant, and Maggie Maddrey, Associate, this whitepaper→ focuses on the mutual benefits of collaboration between transit agencies and their local electric utility. Transit agencies can minimize electricity costs when they understand their available rate options and use these to optimize charging strategies. Similarly, when a utility is engaged throughout a fleet electrification project, the utility can provide guidance on proper investment strategy and facilitate implementation of the most suitable electrical upgrades for the agency's exact fleet plans. When a utility is informed early of fleet electrification plans, they can best project future load and manage the overall electrical system in your area. Cooperative planning allows rural counties to fully reap the benefits of zero-emission vehicles.

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Hydrogen as a Transportation Fuel in Rural Communities→

Authored by Alison Smyth, Lead Engineering Consultant; Cory Shumaker, Engineering Consultant; and Tom Ebert, this whitepaper→ focuses on the alternative solution of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) for agencies seeking to transition to zero-emission vehicles in rural communities. FCEVs provide range and flexibility in the areas that battery electric buses may not be as viable. This paper provides an overview of the FCEV market and highlights fueling station configuration options suitable for rural transit.‍

This work was funded by N-CATT.

The National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT)→ is a technical assistance center funded through a cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Operated by the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA), N-CATT's mission is to provide small- urban, rural and tribal transit agencies with practical, replicable resources that help them apply technological solutions and innovations. Among its activities, N-CATT produces a series of white papers, technical reports such as this document, and other resources, all of which can be accessed online at n-catt.org→.

Thanks to the external reviewers that made substantial contributions to these whitepapers:

Building Successful Partnerships between Rural Transit Systems Deploying Zero-Emission Vehicles and their Electric UtilitiesChris Bilby, Holy Cross EnergyMary Ann Hayes, Maine Department of TransportationLisa Jerram, American Public Transportation AssociationCara Marcus, National Rural Transit Assistance ProgramChris Michalowski, Mountain Parks ElectricBrian Sloboda, National Rural Electric Cooperative AssociationJennifer Wallace-Brodeur, VEICJason White, Roaring Fork Transportation AuthorityHydrogen as a Transportation Fuel in Rural CommunitiesKim Okafor, TrilliumDavid Warren, New FlyerAl Cioffi, Plug PowerJim Petrecky, PDC MachinesSteve Jones, BayoTechTim Reeser, Lightning SystemsJay Schmuecker