Feasibility Study for the Development and Marketing of Magnesium Seats for Motor Coaches and Other Modes of Public Transit

This study was carried out to address concerns about the use of magnesium to manufacture lighter seats for public transit vehicles, particularly motor coaches. In the course of the study, the North American bus and motor coach market was assessed, passenger seat design standards in North America, Europe and Australia were reviewed, and magnesium samples were tested to ensure that this material meets public transit industry standards for material flammability and for toxic fumes possibly emitted during exposure to intense heat. The costs of manufacturing passenger seats using various moulding technologies were assessed in order to compare the competitiveness of a magnesium and/or aluminum solution in relation to the conventional steel solution. It was concluded from the case study carried out that a lighter seat solution was both technically possible and economically viable.

• Record URL:
  http://www.tc.gc.ca/tdc/summary/14200/14275e.htm
• Corporate Authors:

  Transport Canada

  Transportation Development Centre, 800 Rene-Levesque Boulevard West, Suite 600
  Montreal, Quebec  Canada  H3B 2X1
• Authors:
  • BERGERON, F
  • AUDET, JF
• Publication Date: 2004

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Pagination: 102 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aluminum; Buses; Costs; Flammability; Magnesium; Seats; Weight
• Uncontrolled Terms: Reduction (Decrease)
• Geographic Terms: Canada
• Subject Areas: Finance; Public Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01047103
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transportation Association of Canada (TAC)
• Files: TAC
• Created Date: Mar 26 2007 10:50AM