The Center for Transportation and the Environment’s (CTE) scope includes bus modeling, route simulation, charge modeling, rate modeling, and confirmation of the technical specifications for the two 60’ and six 40’ New Flyer buses as well as four Siemens chargers recently acquired by the University of Michigan. CTE was also tasked with validating the performance and operation of the buses and chargers through our performance validation approach. Additionally, CTE developed and is reporting on key performance indicators (KPI) monthly for a period of one year that began in September 2023.
For the expansion and transition planning, CTE reviewed available battery electric bus (BEB), fuel cell electric bus (FCEB), and renewable diesel technologies to assess applicable bus and paratransit configurations that would be appropriate for the University’s service for each of five scenarios: Depot- Charged BEBs, Depot & On-Route-Charged BEBs, FCEBs, mixed fleet of Depot-Charged BEBs and FCEBs, and a renewable diesel fleet. CTE developed approximate fleet cost estimates for each scenario including any necessary footprint expansion or additional fleet needs to operate at current service levels.
CTE has conducted route modeling for the University of Michigan team using bus specification data, Michigan’s current service plan, and GPS data collected from an existing diesel bus running blocks on specified routes. The results of the modeling determined that the 40’ New Flyer BEBs will be able to complete the majority of Michigan’s intended routes for the fall service, while the number of route options for the 60’ BEBs is significantly more limited.
CTE has also conducted testing to validate the performance of the New Flyer BEBs on Michigan’s routes and the charging with Siemens depot chargers. Results of the testing indicated that both the 40’ and 60’ buses have lower tractive energy consumption than predicted by the modeling results, and the expected service range is longer.
As of September 2024, CTE has finalized an extension with the University of Michigan for three additional years of KPI reporting, through September 2027.
