The BUSolutions Story

Evolution of the LCO-140H Hybrid Hydraulic Bus

BUSolutions, a public-private advance transit bus development initiative by Altair ProductDesign, Inc., has yielded an innovative solution to the challenges that confront Americas local and regional transit systems, the worlds first series hydraulic hybrid bus, the LCO-140H (Low-Cost of Ownership-1st 40-foot Hybrid). Through a clean-sheet design approach, the extremely lightweight, heavyduty bus design yields more than twice the fuel efficiency of conventional buses at a lower lifetime cost. This is a first for any hybrid bus. Requiring no infrastructure upgrades to operate, the LCO-140H is an attractive option for transit authorities to cost-effectively upgrade aging fleets with hybrid vehicle technology.

THE EVOLUTION OF BUSOLUTIONS

The inspiration behind Altairs BUSolutions program initiative was driven by its global product development consulting organization, Altair ProductDesign. Through an active consulting practice in the transportation industry, it became clear that the business challenges faced by owners and operators required an entirely new bus development process and design. Comprising senior management, designers, simulation experts and vehicle development engineers, Altair launched BUSolutions, an internally sponsored program. The cross-functional team sought to apply their deep domain knowledge and a simulation-driven design methodology to fully develop a next-generation bus design. From its inception, the BUSolutions program has continually involved industry experts from the manufacturing segment, transit authorities and rider advocacy groups to ensure that the program goals align with industry needs. Based on the merits of the innovative design and predicted performance benefits, in 2005 Altair partnered with Automation Alley, Michigans largest technology business association, to explore government grant opportunities to support the physical build and testing of a technology demonstrator to validate the design. As a result, the program attracted the attention of officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and its Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Since 2005, the FTA issued $5.1 million in funding to Altair, with additional program support provided by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and Automation Alley, to produce a prototype demonstrator of the bus concept. What started as an internally funded stretch project, today has resulted in an industry-first, series hybrid-hydraulic bus design that is ready for manufacture. Having successfully completed the testing phase to validate the design and performance metrics, BUSolutions LCO-140H is the lowest cost, most fuel-efficient hybrid bus on the road today.

SIMULATION-DRIVEN DESIGN
Altairs simulation-driven design approach enables achievement of performance, timing, and cost targets through rapid, low-cost, virtual exploration that accelerates informed decision making throughout the product life cycle. The core design synthesis tool for the project was OptiStruct, Altairs finite-element based technology that helps engineers and designers rapidly develop lightweight, structurally efficient designs. Part of Altairs HyperWorks suite of CAE tools, OptiStruct helps create minimum mass concepts that meet performance and safety targets. Besides using OptiStruct, Altair engineers employed the full range of its HyperWorks tools, including solidThinking, software used by industrial designers, to create conceptual designs at the beginning of the project.

SERIES HYDRAULIC HYBRID TECHNOLOGY

Unlike electric hybrid technology, the LCO-140H uses hydraulic pressure instead of electricity to propel the vehicle. Through combination hydraulic pump/motor units, it captures braking energy to pressurize fluid, which is then re-used to accelerate the bus. The engine runs only on demand and has periods when it is off and the bus relies solely on the stored hydraulic pressure for propulsion. Compared to the database of buses tested at Altoona, Penn., where the FTA certification program is run, The LCO-140H was determined to be more than twice as fuel efficient as the average conventional bus delivering 110 percent more miles per gallon. Compared to todays best diesel-electric hybrid bus, LCO-140H offers 30 percent better mileage and 30 percent lower cost of ownership. Altair ProductDesign is an Company
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t +1 248.614.2400 f +1 248.614.2411 1820 E. Big Beaver Rd. Troy, MI 48083-2031 USA www.altairproductdesign.com

The BUSolutions Story

FEATURES OF THE LCO-140H BUS
This lower cost also comes with higher-level features to meet todays demands for clean technology and simplified maintenance. These include: 15% lighter design than other hybrid buses and 10% lighter than a conventional diesel bus an all-aluminum body and chassis design a series hydraulic hybrid drivetrain better cost and performance than a conventional diesel bus: 10% higher fuel economy at 20% lower lifetime costs. better cost and performance than todays best electric hybrid buses: 30% higher fuel economy at 30% lower lifetime costs. industry-leading 41 passenger seats, 70% lighter than conventional systems novel, best-in-class cooling system with a 50% larger surface area and clean air drawn from the top of the bus through Altairs clean air corridor design reduced accessory power draw lightweight balsa core flooring and roofing durable LED interior lighting ergonomically tailored drivers environment with increased visibility disc brakes on all wheels Durable LED interior lighting All-aluminum body and chassis design

Ergonomically tailored drivers environment with increased visibility

THE FUTURE OF THE LCO-140H BUS

From the standpoint of its design and demonstrated performance, the LCO-140H is ready to roll. Altair intends to pursue its production and plans to announce the commercial venture in the near future.

Altair ProductDesign is an

Company

t +1 248.614.2400 f +1 248.614.2411 1820 E. Big Beaver Rd. Troy, MI 48083-2031 USA www.altairproductdesign.com