Policy Memo Assignment

Research on double decker busses

London

· https://www.wired.com/2009/07/hybrid-buse/

· What

· Title

· “London’s Iconic Red Buses go Green”

· Content

· Hybrid motor/engine

· “The Volvo B5L buses use a parallel hybrid I-SAM (Integrated Starter, Alternator, Motor) system created by Volvo. The system combines the power of an electric motor with a diesel engine.”

· Hybrid

· “buses can go up to 12 mph in all electric mode, and the I-SAM parallel hybrid system fits between the clutch and I-shift automatic transmission”

· Environmentally friendly

· “The system also supports regenerative braking, electric launch and assist, electrification of power steering, the air compressor and air conditioning, and idle avoidance, according to Green Car Congress.”

· Fully functional

· 6 of these vehicles currently in everyday use in London

· More research being done with these 6 before adding more

· But due to their growing popularity in America and Canada, it can be predicted that more will be added.

· Funding (how)

· “$1.4 million grant the Swedish Energy Agency gave Volvo”

· “Fuels savings is set at 25 percent when compared to conventional diesel buses.”

· Who (author/publisher)

· Ben Mack

· Published by Wired UK

Los Angeles

· https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2018/07/electric-double-decker-buses-are-coming-to-la/565016/

· What

· “Electric Double-Decker Buses Are Coming to L.A.”

· Example in another city

· Who (author/publishers)

· Claire Tran

· Published by Citylab

· Why did they do it?

· “with the intent of alleviating the region’s infamous traffic by doubling passenger capacity with a lighter environmental footprint.”

· What

· Environmentally friendly

· Recording-breaking E2 battery made by Proterra

· World record for longest distance over 1,100 miles on one charge of electric vehicle

· In LA, busses will charge every 160-200 miles

· Better quality public transportation

· “Proterra, the largest U.S.-based manufacturer, is promising more seats, less noise, and even on-board WiFi. The back of a diesel bus can be as loud as 90 decibels, said Popple; meanwhile, electric battery buses are incredibly quiet.”

· ^drivers and mechanics prefer a quieter bus

Portland

· https://expo.oregonlive.com/news/erry-2018/12/0d526b661d6626/trimet-took-a-doubledecker-bus.html

· what

· “TriMet took a double-decker bus on a joy ride”

· Promising future?

· TriMet doesn’t have any immediate plans to buy double-decker busses but is open to the idea

· Need to assess bus routes

· which will be limited for double deckers if they come to pdx

· identify overpasses, signs, signals and trees too low for these busses

· “In 2013, TriMet told The Oregonian double-deckers would need to run on limited routes. ‘A full assessment of our bus routes would need to be done to map out where overpasses, signs, signals and even trees are too low to run the buses under,’ an official told the paper at the time’’

· Possible though

· “York stressed that TriMet had no immediate plans to buy a double-decker model, but she added the agency… is “always interested” in new transit developments.”

· Who

· Andrew Theen

· Published by The Oregonian

· where

· “through downtown’s Transit Mall but ultimately couldn’t quite fit into its Center Street headquarters on Southeast 17th Avenue.”

· Why?

· Hybrid-electric options

· More efficient

· More passengers

· Less road space

· https://trimet.org/bettertransit/greenbusfleet.htm

· What

· “By 2040, we’re committed to having a 100 percent alternative-fuel fleet.”

· Trimet already making efforts to provide more sustainable public transportation

· Who

· Trimet Staff

· How?

· “Trial Fleet”:

· “We’re currently testing battery-electric buses, with five buses expected to be on the road soon. In 2019, we’ll be purchasing 10 more battery-electric buses, followed by another 50 over the next three years.”

· Why 2040

· “The lifespan of a bus is about 16 years. The diesel buses we purchased this year will be on the road until about 2035.”

· “We’re still testing alternative fuels and we don’t know which is going to be the best for our needs. It could be battery-electric, or it might be hydrogen, renewable natural gas or another promising fuel source that may emerge.”

· Possible roadblocks

· “There are a few things that could slow our conversion. Our plan assumes the cost of these buses will come down over time. If they don’t, additional funding sources will need to be found or it will take us longer to transition our fleet.

· “We’re also counting on tax credits to help us afford the significant cost. If state or national policies change and those funds are no longer available to us, converting will take longer.”

· https://doubledeckerpdx.com

· What

· ^rentable double decker busses

· Commercial, not public

· Who

· Double Decker PDX Staff

· Where

· Portland

· Why

· Private events

· Private business

Seattle

· https://www.soundtransit.org/blog/platform/new-double-decker-buses-have-arrived-carry-more-people-better-views

· Who

· Bruce Gray

· Published by Sound Transit

· What

· “Riders on the Sound Transit Express 532 and 535 routes connecting Everett, Lynnwood, Bothell and Bellevue can now enjoy 40 percent more seating...new buses seat 81 riders; the regular buses on these routes seat 56.”

· “Sound Transit first introduced the double deckers on its I-5 routes out of Snohomish County in 2014 and now has 37 in the fleet.”

· Where

· “Riders on the Sound Transit Express 532 and 535 routes connecting Everett, Lynnwood, Bothell and Bellevue”

· Buses are working their way towards Seattle for more urban use as they enter suburban areas closer to the city