Progress
The works were very advanced and were completed by the end of 2016.
Planning & preparation
During the preparation phase the following tasks were executed:
- Revision and adaptation of current testing programme, considering better the special topographic situation in Aachen
- Definition of test phase for two further hybrid buses, one MAN and one Mercedes-Benz bus (1 solo bus and 1 articulated bus), e.g. routes, time table, etc.
- Establishment of a database of present experiences from cities with hybrid buses covering various operational and topographical conditions
- Comparative analysis of tests : catalogue of indicators and weighting of indicators and results – establishment of a decision matrix; evaluation indicators considered the CIVITAS core indicators where possible
- Approval of leasing contracts for further hybrid buses. The rental of a EURO VI hybrid prototype bus was planned for the second half of 2013. The technical development was watched very closely. It was important to test vehicles in different variants (for example buses with capacitors or batteries as energy storage system or serial/parallel hybrid drive systems)
- Equipment of two hybrid buses and one conventional vehicle with acoustic measurement devices in order to perform specific noise and vibration measurements in the interior. In this way relevant acoustic and vibration data referring to passenger comfort was collected. The measurement campaigns pursued the time schedule of project partner ASEAG.
- Equipment of two hybrid buses with sensors and loggers for the collection of operation data (fuel consumption, driver behavior, traffic situations, etc.).
- Rental of a Mercedes Citaro G Hybrid (articulated bus). This bus fit perfectly into the current ASEAG fleet because there was a high proportion of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Workshop staff was very well trained in repairing this bus type and most spare parts were available in stock. Because of its technical specification the bus was very suitable for a conversion. ASEAG has been planning the upgrade into a fully electric environment so that it is possible to drive 50 km without any diesel engine.
Implementation & demonstration
In the implementation phase the following tasks were executed:
- Test operation with two hybrid buses in real conditions according to the defined test programme
- Collection (logging) of all important acoustic characteristics, regarding real bus stop arrivals and departures in scheduled operation. And limited traffic measurements in designated areas (e.g. in traffic calm zones). In addition, reference measurements were made at the measurement noise route of the “Institut für Kraftfahrzeuge” (Institute of Automotive Engineering).
- Data acquisition of relevant acoustic characteristics regarding real bus stop arrivals and departures in scheduled operation. In addition, acoustic measurements were performed on the pass-by noise test track of the “Institute of Automotive Engineering”. The major aim wasto verify the potential of hybrid urban buses in terms of an effective reduction of noise emissions. The measurement campaigns pursued the time schedule of project partner ASEAG.
- Collection (logging) of data concerning the fuel consumption and the driver behaviour (driving style) was conducted
- Conversion of a serial hybrid drive bus into a fully electric vehicle using a Fast Charging Station at the ASEAG home depot. This bus operated under real conditions from 2014 onwards.
- Procurement of four hybrid buses based on the evaluation results; the precondition for the procurement was the reduction of fuel consumption by at least 20%
- Procurement of five light weight buses based if benefit/cost-ratio was higher than 1.0 and introduction into ASEAG’s bus fleet
