Alternate Fuel Vehicles

Improving Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) District Connectivity and Access with the Segway Human Transporter and Other Low Speed Mobility Devices

Rodier, Caroline J.
Shaheen, Susan A.
Novick, Linda
2004

Access to transit stations is a significant barrier to transit use in many urban regions. Parking during peak hours is often limited, and many individuals are only willing to walk about a quarter mile to transit stations (Cervero, 2001). While there are some effective feeder services (e.g., shuttles) that help extend the range of transit access, these systems are limited because of fixed routes and schedules. A number of strategies have recently been implemented to improve transit access and transit use, including bicycles, electric bicycles, carsharing, and personal neighborhood electric...

Evaluation Of Potential Hybrid Electric Vehicle Applications: Vol I

Gris, Arturo E.
1991

Identifies potentially promising market segments for electric and hybrid vehicle technologies; covers topics including energy and power requirements, battery and range extender, propulsion system, and air conditioning

Evaluation of Incorporating Hybrid Vehicle Use of HOV Lanes

Brownstone, David
Chu, Lianyu
Golob, Tom
Nesamani, K.S.
Recker, Will
2008

This report presents a method to investigate the operational and environmental effects of the policy of allowing qualified single-occupancy hybrid vehicles to use dedicated High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV)/carpool lanes in California.. The method combines the traditional planning method with microscopic simulation modeling. The planning method is used for demand estimation and analysis and the microscopic traffic simulation modeling method is used for accurate measures of the system. The study employs a microscopic traffic simulation model that is capable of evaluating the HOV/hybrid system...

Lateral Guidance System Requirements Definition

Parsons, Robert E.
Zhang, Wei-Bin
1988

The Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS) is assisting the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) to establish and conduct a program of advanced highway technology R&D to obtain better productivity from the States’ most used highway segments. The Program on Advanced Technology for the High-way, PATH, centers on advanced technology opportunities that may contribute to the relief of traffic congestion, with related problems of air pollution and parking; and on energy for transportation, in particular continued use of petroleum based fuels.

Evaluation of the Fuel-Efficient Traffic Signal Management (FETSIM) Program: 1983-1993

Skabardonis, Alexander
1994

This report presents the findings from the evaluation of a statewide initiative to retime traffic signals to produce more energy-efficient traffic flow: California's FuelEfficient Traffic Signal Management (FETSIM) Program. During the 11 years of the Program, over 160 cities and counties have retimed a total of 12,245 signals under grants from the FETSIM Program, in 334 projects. Improved timings have reduced vehicular delays by 14 percent in project areas; stops have been decre~sed by 13 percent. Overall travel times through these systems have dropped by 7 percent and fuel consumption has...

Exploratory Field Test of Early Fleet Niches for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles and Fueling Infrastructure

Martin, Elliot
Shaheen, Susan A., PhD
Lipman, Timothy E., PhD
Lidicker, Jeffrey
2009

Over the last several decades, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) have emerged as a zero tailpipe-emission alternative to the battery electric vehicle (EV). There are key questions about consumer reaction and response to operations and refueling of FCVs. This report presents the results of a “ride-and-drive” clinic series (n=182) held in 2007 with a Mercedes-Benz A-Class “F-Cell” hydrogen FCV. The clinic evaluated participant reactions to driving and riding in an FCV, as well as witnessing a vehicle-refueling event. The respondents entered the clinic with a strong interest in alternative...

Control of Heavy-Duty Trucks: Environmental and Fuel Economy Considerations

Zhang, Jianlong
Ioannou, Petros
2004

In this project we investigate the effect of heavy-duty trucks, equipped with different Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) systems, on the environment and traffic flow characteristics. The sluggish dynamics of trucks whether manual or ACC that is due to their limited acceleration capabilities filter speed disturbances caused by leading vehicles and lead to beneficial effects on the environment and traffic flow characteristics. This response however may lead to higher travel times in certain situations as well as invite cut-ins from neighboring lanes causing additional disturbances. A new ACC...

Fuel Saving Achieved in the Field Test of Two Tandem Trucks

Browand, Fred
McArthur, John
Radovich, Charles
2004

The fuel consumption of two tandem trucks is recorded for truck spacings of 3, 4, 6, 8, and 10 meters. The trucks are linked by means of an electronic control system, and are operated on an unused runway at Crows Landing, California. Fuel consumption data is averaged while traveling in both directions over the same central strip of runway to cancel the effect of runway slope and to partially cancel the effect of wind. The average fuel consumption saving to be achieved by tandem operation varies from about 11% at 3-4 meters spacing to about 8% at 8-10 meters spacing.

Evaluation Of Potential Hybrid Electric Vehicle Applications: Vol. II

Gris, Arturo
1991

Identifies potentially promising market segments for electric and hybrid vehicle technologies; covers topics including energy and power requirements, battery and range extender, propulsion system, and air conditioning

Feasibility Study Of Advanced Technology Hov Systems: Volume 2a: Feasibility Of Implementing Roadway Powered Electric Vehicle Technology In El Monte Busway: A Case Study

Chira-Chavala, Ted
Lechner, Edward H.
Empey, Dan M.
1992

This study investigates issues concerning the implementation and impacts of lateral guidance/control systems and the phased implementation of these systems in exclusive-access High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes. The study is divided into 5 volumes. The objectives of each volume are as follows: Vol. 1: identify strategies for early deployment of longitudinal control technologies on the highway, and to evaluate potential impacts of these strategies on traffic operation, highway capacity, and traffic accidents. Vol. 2A: assess the feasibility of early deployment of Roadway Powered Electric...