CLEAN AIR PROGRAM: DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR BUS TRANSIT SYSTEMS USING HYDROGEN AS AN ALTERNATIVE FUEL

Alternative fuels such as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), and alcohol fuels (methanol, and ethanol) are already being used in commercial vehicles and transit buses in revenue service. Hydrogen, which has better air quality characteristics as a vehicle fuel, is being used in research demonstration projects in fuel cell powered buses, as well as in internal combustion engines in automobiles and small trucks. At present, there are no facility guidelines to assist transit agencies contemplating the use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel. This document addresses the various issues involved. Hydrogen fuel properties, potential hazards, fuel replacements for specified levels of bus service, applicable codes and standards, ventilation, and electrical classification are indicated in this document. These guidelines also present various facility and bus design issues that need to be considered by a transit agency to ensure safe operation when using hydrogen as an alternative fuel. Fueling facility, garaging facility, maintenance facility, requirements and safety practices are discussed. Critical fuel related safety issues in the design of the related systems on the bus are also identified. A system safety assessment and hazard resolution process is also presented. This approach may be used to select design strategies which are economical, yet ensure a specific level of safety.

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• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/8427
• Corporate Authors:

  Technology and Management Systems, Incorporated

  99 South Bedford Street, Suite 211
  Burlington, MA  United States  01803-5128

  Federal Transit Administration

  Office of Planning, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Volpe National Transportation Systems Center

  Cambridge, MA  United States  02142
• Authors:
  • Raj, P K
  • Hathaway, W T
  • Kangas, R A
• Publication Date: 1998-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 80 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air quality; Alternatives analysis; Bus transit; Clean fuels; Design practices; Facilities; Fuel elements; Hydrogen fuels; Safety; Systems analysis
• Identifier Terms: Clean Air Act
• Subject Areas: Design; Energy; Highways; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00760813
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Transit Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: FTA-MA-26-7021-98-01,, DOT-VNTSC-FTA-98-06
• Files: NTL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Mar 18 1999 12:00AM