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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Bus Efficiency Enhancements Research and Demonstration (BEERD) Project Selections

Transit Agency PartnerProject SponsorProject DescriptionRecommended Amount
The Rapid (Grand Rapids, MI)American SeatingAmerican Seating, in partnership with The Rapid in Grand Rapids, Michigan, will receive funding to develop and demonstrate a heated and cooled seat, which is intended to reduce fuel consumption of public transportation vehicles.   $298,906.00
Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (LYNX), FLCenter for Transportation and the Environment (CTE)Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE), in partnership with Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (LYNX), will receive funding to develop and demonstrate a new thermoelectric power generator on a 40' transit bus contributed by LYNX to reduce fuel consumption and allow end of day information processing without idling. $532,258.00
Utah Transit Authority (UTA), UTCenter for Transportation and the Environment (CTE)Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE), in partnership with the Utah Transit Authority (UTA), will receive funding to develop and demonstrate a system that will eliminate or reduce idling during paratransit passenger loading operations, lowering operating costs, reducing energy usage, and improving air quality. $697,185.00
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), GACenter for Transportation and the Environment (CTE)Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE), in partnership with the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), will receive funding to develop and demonstrate a BAE Systems prototype Reduced Engine Idle Load System. This first-of-its-kind effort will bring a multimode, electric accessory ‘power plant’ to market. $976,030.00
Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), MDMaryland Transit Administration (MTA)The Maryland Transit Administration will receive funding to develop and demonstrate a retrofit of 35 hybrid buses with a hybrid beltless alternator and support equipment to monitor fuel savings and impact on house batteries. $495,621.00
Total $3,000,000.00