March 21, 2006

TriMet 1st in nation with cooling system technology

Military & NASCAR technology boost fuel economy

On the outside, it looks like an ordinary 40-foot TriMet bus, but under its engine panels is a one-of-a-kind cooling system that makes it unique in the transit industry.

"TriMet is the first in the nation to combine cutting edge technologies from the racetrack and military field in a bus that should get better fuel economy and require reduced maintenance," said Fred Hansen, TriMet general manager.

For the next eight months, the bus is testing military components and NASCAR racecar cooling technology to potentially boost fuel economy by 5 to 7 percent and reduce maintenance costs. Switching the engine and transmission cooling systems over to electrical motors should produce the fuel gains.

Traditionally, bus-cooling systems work off hydraulic and coolant pumps powered directly by the diesel engine. The original equipment cooling system draws up to 50 horsepower off the engine, draining power and fuel efficiency.

Teamwork leads to innovation

TriMet teamed up with Michigan-based EMP Inc., which makes innovative cooling systems for trucks, military vehicles and NASCAR racing cars, to create and install the bus's cooling system. Six variable speed electric fans, an electric variable speed water pump and an electric mixing valve are computer controlled to deliver optimum heating or cooling to the bus' engine, transmission and heating systems.

The conversion meant more electricity was needed to power these new components, so a high-tech alternator was added. Originally developed for military applications, the alternator was made available through funding from the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM). One of the agency's goals is to reduce costs by commercializing technology that has both military and commercial uses.

Testing phase

TriMet will test and evaluate the bus' performance through fall 2006. About 40,000 miles will be put on the test bus during the evaluation period. There is a big market for retrofitting buses and other commercial vehicles with equipment that increases fuel economy. For such conversions to be attractive to transit agencies, however, the costs need to be recaptured through greater efficiencies within two to three years.