AL-2023-003

Application Purpose: FTAs LONO-CAP Program is statutorily referenced in Section 49 U.S.C. 5312(h). The program will provide annual funding for FY21-26 to Auburn University for capital investment directed research and testing assessment and certification of low and no emission components for use on green public transportation buses sold in the United States. The total anticipated funding is $14,584,986 (H.R.3684) and will be awarded as follows:

FY21: $1,500,000 (available for award but yet to be received)
FY22: $2,500,000
FY23: $2,552,227
FY24: $2,618,869
FY25: $2,672,969
FY26: $2,740,921

Activities Performed:

1. Directed Research Support: The project principal investigators (PIs) will work with Auburn's College of Engineering (COE) Dean's Office to solicit research proposals within Auburn University. These proposals will address areas of technological need for transit authorities and bus manufacturers. The targeted technological needs of the LONO transit vehicle community include, but are not limited to, projects that:
(I) Enhance or enable bus cabin heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in electrified buses
(II) Address battery aging charging/discharging and the interplay of environmental conditions on batteries
(III) Develop/validate bus driver assistance and automation systems
(IV) Elucidate and mitigate cybersecurity issues
(V) Promote health and wellness of bus operators and occupants.
Further input from transit vehicle manufacturers (TVM), transit agencies, and academic partners, a group that meets collectively in support of transit vehicle and innovation deployment centers (the TVIDC Advisory Panel), will be used to guide and select directed research topics when making the call for proposals.

2. Capital Improvements: Project funds will be set aside for capital equipment and facilities upgrades that will directly benefit LONO CAP. Based on input received from the TVIDC Advisory Panel and conversations with FTA, the major hurdle being faced by TVMs and transit agencies in adopting battery electric buses (BEB) are challenges the environment, transit routes, and required cabin temperature create when attempting to determine vehicle range and battery aging behavior. The TVIDC Panel identified the need to have a multi-axle dynamometer housed in an environmental chamber suitable to accommodate a full-size BEB. Auburn is proposing to use a portion of the current 5312 funds, the current 5318 funds, and the anticipated 5312 funds to construct a dynamometer within an environmental chamber that meets the needs identified by the TVIDC. In addition to this major outlay, directed research projects will be allowed to propose equipment purchases suiting the needs of their project goals.

3. LONO Component Testing: Auburn University will continue to test and assess components that are part of low and no emission buses. These components may include, but are not limited to:
- Cyber vulnerability assessment and penetration tests
- Electrified axle and wheel hub motors
- Batteries and power distribution systems
- Powertrain assessments
- HVAC
- Automation and driver assist systems
- Vehicle communication systems

Expected Outcomes:
- Reduce emissions from batteries
- Increased battery range in varying environmental conditions
- Increase cyber security to improve compliance for metro areas across the country

Intended Beneficiaries: Transit vehicle manufacturers, transit agencies, end users of transit

Subrecipient Activities: No subawards planned.

Auburn University

ASSIST IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND ADOPTION OF LOW AND NO EMISSION BUS COMPONENTS THROUGH TESTING AND DIRECTED RESEARCH

20.530 - Public Transportation Innovation

Federal Transit Administration (FTA) [DOT]

FTA Office of Budget and Policy [DOT - FTA]

Alabama United States

State-Wide

NOT APPLICABLE

Infrastructure $2,500,000 (27%) percent this Cooperative Agreement was funded by the 2021 Infrastructure Act.
Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 15% from $8,000,000 to $9,171,096.