THE "CLEAN AIR" BUS. A FURTHER REPORT ON THE OPERATION OF THE COUNTRY'S FIRST LPG POWERED BUS COVERING THE PERIOD OF OPERATION FROM 1ST APRIL 1974 TO 31ST MARCH 1976

The report is an account of the operational and mechanical problems associated with the liquefied propane gas powered bus. Also included in appendices are a road test report by commercial motor and weekly records of fuel and oil consumption over the period. Changes in the type of fluid flywheel fitted have improved vehicle performance but the fuel consumption remains high at an average of 3.5 miles per gallon. It was not possible to make direct comparisons of efficiency although the propane gas is cheaper than diesel oil. The power unit was very smooth and quiet in operation. Apart from the unexplained fracture of an oil pipe the system has been very reliable. The Rolls Royce B81 power unit mounted in a vertical, rear, transverse position has been shown to be reliable under urban operating conditions. Its acceleration is superior but its higher fuel consumption makes it uneconomical although it is hoped that the recent relaxation of fuel tax grant for propane powered vehicles will make it more competitive. /TRRL/

• Corporate Authors:

  Cleveland Transit

  Parliament Road
  Middlesborough, Cleveland,   England 
• Authors:
  • Holland, W R
• Publication Date: 0

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Photos; Tables;

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Buses; Design; Economic efficiency; Exhaust gases; Flywheels; Fuel consumption; Gases; Liquefied petroleum gas; Motor vehicles; Noise control; Oils; Propane; Public transit; Sound; Urban areas
• Uncontrolled Terms: Efficiency; Liquid petroleum gas; Quiet vehicles
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Old TRIS Terms: Propane fuel
• ITRD Terms: 9011: Design (overall design); 5911: Efficiency; 2442: Emission; 232: Fuel consumption; 6734: Gas; 744: Public transport; 1293: Quiet vehicle; 6748: Sound; 8119: United Kingdom; 313: Urban area
• Subject Areas: Design; Economics; Energy; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00163994
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Report/Paper Numbers: Monograph
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 27 1981 12:00AM