SMALL TRANSIT VEHICLES. HOW TO BUY, OPERATE, AND MAINTAIN THEM
Small buses (ranging from van conversions to 31-ft heavyduty small buses) are highly diverse in both capital costs and technology. Their uses are also diverse, spanning the range from large transit fleets in major urban areas to small rural operators, and including fixed-route, demand-responsive, shuttle and other service. No guidelines exist with which transit providers, seeking to purchase or replace small buses, can make objective decisions concerning the best bus type to be procured. This manual has been developed based on a method to determine life-cycle costs that are, in turn, based on a data base for 187 buses representing 17 transit agencies distributed geographically throughout the United States. The method's strength lies in its sensitivity to such factors as duty cycle and climate, among others. It calls for the analyst to (1) determine capacity requirements, and (2) document the characteristics for working environments. Through the use of simple equations and cost data provided in tables, the analyst is led to the generic type of bus (van, body on van chassis, body on truck chassis, purpose built bus) providing the lowest life-cycle cost. Ranges in life-cycle cost for a given bus type may also be determined. Furthermore, the manual provides guidance in the selection of such options as different types of engines and auxiliary equipment including wheelchair lifts. Information that is useful in bus maintenance planning and the development of effective maintenance operating procedures is also provided. Because maintenance costs were found to vary with changes in duty cycle, an analyst can use the research results to tailor operations appropriate for small buses within a transit system.
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Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/07324839
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Supplemental Notes:
- A companion research report contains printouts of the data base and results of regression analyses. For availability, contact the Director, Cooperative Research Programs, 2101 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20418. 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.
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Corporate Authors:
500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC United States 20001 -
Authors:
- Boghani, A B
- Palmer, D W
- Gott, P G
- Nayak, P R
- Publication Date: 1985-1
Media Info
- Media Type: Digital/other
- Features: Appendices; Figures; Tables;
- Pagination: 49 p.
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Serial:
- NCTRP Report
- Issue Number: 11
- Publisher: Transportation Research Board
- ISSN: 0732-4839
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Analysis; Buses; Costs; Life cycle analysis; Life cycle costing; Minibuses; Optimization; Performance; Small buses; Vans; Vehicle design; Vehicle maintenance
- Uncontrolled Terms: Bus maintenance; Cost analysis; Duty cycles; Performance analysis
- Old TRIS Terms: Analytical method; Bus design
- Subject Areas: Design; Economics; Finance; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Society; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00394558
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS, TRB
- Created Date: May 31 1988 12:00AM