A recently released Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) report details the proposed innovation, development, and adoption of zero-emission transit technologies.
The Transit Vehicle Innovation Deployment Centers (TVIDC) Advisory Panel Overview and Conclusions report was prepared by CTE and published by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), serving as the culmination of discussions held by the CTE-led Advisory Panel.
“The release of the Advisory Panel’s conclusions comes at a pivotal moment for the zero-emission transportation industry,” Dan Raudebaugh, CTE’s executive director, said. “As efforts to decarbonize the transit industry gain momentum, a coordinated effort is necessary to effectively use research, program and training resources.”
The report findings were gathered from the input of more than a dozen transit agency general managers, leading transit bus manufacturers, each of the three federal bus testing centers, and public transit advocacy groups, including the American Public Transportation Association.
Panel discussions were convened in August 2019 in Los Angeles and in January 2020 in Chicago.
Authorities noted the report suggests strategies seeking to improve and guide five key elements of the zero-emission transit industry – bus testing facilities, innovation research, transit bus automation, workforce development, and collaboration with electric utilities.
Officials said the guidance would be useful for program decision-making, equipping the FTA to provide effective programs accelerating the adoption of clean transportation technologies nationwide.