VEHICLE DESIGN, ACCEPTANCE TESTING, AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT SERVICES: RESOURCE PAPER

The author traces the history of bus technology, noting that the 1959 GMC New Look model marked the end of major mechanical innovation in transit buses; starting with NL emphasis has been on improved environment for drivers and passengers. Then the entry of the federal government into capital funding during the NL period made first cost the overwhelming determinant of bus suppliers. Next federal sponsorship of the Transbus program produced models with increased passenger comfort that were marked by high maintenance costs. In 1975 GMC formally introduced its RTS model with some Transbus features, followed by the Flxible 870 designed in much the same way. Attempts to reconcile specifications for these two Advanced Design Bus models produced the so-called White Book. Both ADBs are heavier, more costly and less reliable than their predecessors. Poor performance of ADBs has resulted in changed transit bus procurement. Foreign builders have entered the market and major remanufacturing programs for NL buses undertaken. The author sees the need for enhanced maintenance information systems, detailed specifications that will assure reliable, efficient buses, and adequate testing. Competition ultimately will give proper equipment.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/sr/sr198/sr198-012.pdf
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/0360859X
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. This paper appeared in Transportation Research Board Special Report 198: Bus Maintenance Improvement; Proceedings of the Bus Maintenance Improvement Workshop, April 14-16, 1982, St. Louis, Missouri.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Buckel, H H
• Conference:
  • Proceedings of the Bus Maintenance Improvement Workshop
  • Location: St. Louis Missouri, United States
  • Date: 1982-4-14 to 1982-4-16
• Publication Date: 1983

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 47-51
• Monograph Title: BUS MAINTENANCE IMPROVEMENT
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Board Special Report
  • Issue Number: 198
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0360-859X

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Buses; Design; Federal government; Maintainability; New products; Reliability; Specifications; Testing; Vehicle design
• Uncontrolled Terms: Design criteria
• Old TRIS Terms: Advanced design buses; Bus design; New look buses; Transbus
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Design; Highways; Public Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00380145
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Dec 30 1983 12:00AM