PILOT STUDY: ELECTRIFICATION OF THE ADELAIDE BUS SYSTEM

The practical requirements of a minimum viable bus electrification over specified routes with present schedules are studied in detail and compared with the present diesel bus operation technically and economically. This work has revealed the immediate reduction in annual costs for electric bus operation, and confirmed the future additional cost reductions and service improvements as petroleum fuel and labour costs rise around the world, as both resources become scarcer. The Stages III-VII electrification study logical implementation for the relevant major routes, and show present day costs and realistic timing for a total programme which within 7 years would see the public transport task shared between 298 electric buses, 400 diesel buses, and the most modern of the fixed rail equipment. The economics are such that the government contribution to state transport authority operations could be reduced by half in that period, and largely eliminated if electric buses increase patronage by the 10-20 per cent generally reported around the world. The proposed bus electrification programmed Stages I-VII involves greater capital investment in the short term than a continuation of the present regular replacement of diesel buses, but a much reduced capital expenditure and operating cost annually over the 30 year proven operational life of electric buses and infrastructure. (TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0724346311
• Corporate Authors:

  South Australia Department of Transport, Australia

  Victoria Square
  Adelaide, South Australia,   Australia 
• Publication Date: 1982

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 55 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Buses; Diesel engines; Economic factors; Economics; Electric batteries; Electric vehicles; Financial capital; Future; Level of service; Life cycle analysis; Life cycle costing; Operating costs; Planning; Public transit; Transportation; Transportation modes; Trolleybuses
• Geographic Terms: Australia
• ITRD Terms: 8006: Australia; 1315: Battery; 1314: Diesel engine; 263: Economics of transport; 1282: Electric vehicle; 1152: Future transport mode; 143: Planning; 744: Public transport; 1273: Trolleybus
• Subject Areas: Economics; Finance; Planning and Forecasting; Transportation (General); I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00369907
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• ISBN: 07243 4631 1
• Report/Paper Numbers: Monograph
• Files: ITRD, TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Feb 28 1983 12:00AM