CALIFORNIA STEAM BUS PROJECT

The California steam bus project was undertaken to evaluate the technical feasibility and public acceptance of the external combustion engine (ECE) as a low-emission, quiet propulsion system, using city buses as demonstration vehicles. Emphasis was placed on the early demonstration of potential, rather than extensive development or technical perfection. The title 'steam bus' was adopted after the choice of Rankine cycle systems to exemplify the ECE. Steam propulsion systems were installed in three 40-foot transit coaches, replacing the original diesel engines. The buses were tested and demonstrated in the metropolitan areas of Oakland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. The report presents findings on performance, emissions, noise, fuel consumption, operating characteristics, revenue service, and potential for fuel consumption and emissions improvement.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Paper copy also available from NTIS $11.25/set of 4 reports as PB-217 507-SET.
• Corporate Authors:

  Scientific Analysis Corporation

  San Francisco, CA  United States 
• Authors:
  • Napuk, K
  • Lane, J A
  • Renner, R A
• Publication Date: 1973-1

Media Info

• Pagination: 32 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air pollution; Alternatives analysis; Benefit cost analysis; Buses; Demonstration projects; Economic efficiency; Exhaust gases; External combustion engines; Fuel consumption; Improvements; Operating speed; Passenger transportation; Performance evaluations; Permafrost; Pollutants; Project management; Revenues; Sampling; Steam engines; Urban transportation; Vehicle power plants
• Identifier Terms: U.S. Urban Mass Transportation Administration
• Uncontrolled Terms: Efficiency; Experimental design; Projects
• Geographic Terms: California; Los Angeles (California); Oakland (California); San Francisco (California)
• Old TRIS Terms: Automobile engines; Continuous sampling; Permafrost table; Steam buses
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Economics; Energy; Finance; Highways; Passenger Transportation; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00046231
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: Final Rpt, UMTA-CA-06-0031
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 31 2003 12:00AM