AC TRANSIT INCREASES BRAKE LIFE BY INSTALLING ELECTRIC RETARDERS ON ITS BUSES

AC Transit of the San Francisco Bay area operates a wide range of express and local bus services over all types of terrain and under a variety of climatic conditions. High costs were incurred because of excessive brake wear. Maintenance requirements are being reduced as AC Transit has progressively increased the use of electric retarders on its fleet. Brake lining life has been increased up to six times that achieved with unequipped coaches. The retarder pays for itself in 5 years or 200,000 miles. Reduced braking heat has also increased tire life. Retarders are installed on the drive line at the differential where eddy current energy is dissipated as heat from an air-cooled unit which requires virtually no maintenance.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/3064294
• Corporate Authors:

  Friendship Publications, Incorporated

  West 2627 Providence, P.O. Box 1472
  Spokane, WA  United States  99210-1472
• Publication Date: 1984-5

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 76-77
• Serial:
  • Bus Ride
  • Volume: 19
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Friendship Publications, Incorporated
  • ISSN: 0192-8902
  • Serial URL: http://www.busride.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Brake linings; Braking performance; Buses; Concrete retarders; Tires; Vehicle design; Vehicle maintenance
• Identifier Terms: Alameda Contra Costa Transit District
• Uncontrolled Terms: Bus maintenance
• Old TRIS Terms: Bus design; Retarders
• Subject Areas: Design; Maintenance and Preservation; Public Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00387665
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 30 1984 12:00AM