Bus Testing

 

The purpose of the program is to provide assistance for testing new transit bus models and reporting on their maintainability, reliability, safety, performance (including braking performance), structural integrity, fuel economy, emissions, and noise performance characteristics. Per 49 U.S.C Section 5318(e), amounts appropriated or otherwise made available under this chapter may be obligated or expended to acquire a new bus model only if that model is tested at the Bus Testing Facility and the bus achieved a passing test score based upon the performance standards for maintainability, reliability, performance (including braking performance), structural integrity, fuel economy, emissions, noise, and safety. The program is administered under FTAs implementing regulation at 49 CFR Part 665, commonly referred to as the Bus Testing Regulation.

Active 20.529 Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2016 The Bus Testing Facility will conduct standardized tests and prepare test reports for up to twenty new transit bus models and will also bring a compressed hydrogen fueling station on-line in June of 2016 to enable the testing of new hydrogen fuel cell bus models. Overall, the Bus Testing Program has proven to be valuable to the transit industry. As of March 31, 2016 testing has been completed on 444 buses with a total of 9,324 bus failure modes were identified since the program’s inception. Of those failure modes, 44 could have resulted in serious injuries or significant property damage had they occurred in revenue service. Another 175 failure modes would have resulted in the bus being stranded on its route had they occurred in actual service. Many of the other malfunctions identified would adversely impact transit service (e.g., resulting in road calls stranding passengers), and all would increase maintenance costs by requiring corrective maintenance actions. The Bus Testing Program ensures that by testing new bus models before they are purchased, recipients and manufacturers can often address problems before the fleet is built, potentially saving the federal government and grant recipients considerable money and time and avoiding inconveniencing passengers. The Bus Testing Facility conducted standardized tests and prepare test reports for up to twenty new transit bus models and brought a compressed hydrogen fueling station on-line in June of 2016 to enable the testing of new hydrogen fuel cell bus models. Overall, the Bus Testing Program has proven to be valuable to the transit industry. As of March 31, 2016 testing has been completed on 444 buses with a total of 9,324 bus failure modes were identified since the program’s inception. Of those failure modes, 44 could have resulted in serious injuries or significant property damage had they occurred in revenue service. Another 175 failure modes would have resulted in the bus being stranded on its route had they occurred in actual service. Many of the other malfunctions identified would adversely impact transit service (e.g., resulting in road calls stranding passengers), and all would increase maintenance costs by requiring corrective maintenance actions. The Bus Testing Program ensures that by testing new bus models before they are purchased, recipients and manufacturers can often address problems before the fleet is built, potentially saving the federal government and grant recipients considerable money and time and avoiding inconveniencing passengers.
Fiscal Year 2017 The Bus Testing Facility conducted standardized tests and prepared 6 full, and 5 partial bus testing reports for buses that started testing in calendar year 2017.
Fiscal Year 2018 The Bus Testing Program applies to recipients of FTA capital assistance who purchase new model transit buses or existing bus models being produced with a major change. As of December 31, 2017, testing was completed on 469 buses with over 9,500 bus failures identified. Of those failures, 46 could have resulted in serious injuries or significant property damage had they occurred in revenue service. Many of the other malfunctions would adversely impact transit service (e.g., resulting in road calls standing passengers), and all would increase maintenance costs by requiring corrective maintenance actions. The Bus Testing Program ensures that by testing new bus models before they are purchased, recipients and manufacturers can often address problems before the fleet is built, potentially saving the federal government and grant recipients considerable money and time and avoiding inconveniencing passengers.
Fiscal Year 2019 ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR PROJECT FUNDED IN FY 2019 INCLUDE: FTA funded the Bus Testing Facility in FY 2019, which continued to test new bus models and previously-tested models being produced with major changes and issued full and partial Bus Testing Reports. FTA worked to coordinate the activities, and the testing and reporting procedures of the two new LoNo bus testing centers with the existing bus testing center.
Fiscal Year 2020 ACCOMPLISHMENT OF PROJECT FUNDED DURING FY 2020 INCLUDE: Funded the Bus Testing program in FY 2020, which continued to test new bus models and previously-tested models being produced with major changes and issued full and partial Bus Testing reports. FTA worked to coordinate the activities, and the testing and reporting procedures of the two new LoNo bus testing centers with the existing bus testing center. Posted new reporting guidelines for bus testing on FTA's website. Altered and implemented a new report number format for buses tested in 2020. Recipients must receive a copy of the full Bus Testing Report or any applicable Partial Testing Report in order to be Awarded (Assistance Agreement) FTA funds for the vehicle.
Fiscal Year 2021 ACCOMPLISHMENT EXPECTED OF PROJECT FUNDED IN FY 2021 INCLUDE: FTA expects to continue funding the one existing Bus Testing Center and two new LoNo Bus Testing Centers (under 5312(h)). FTA also officially rolled out an enhanced outline based bus testing request system in the Summer of 2021.
Fiscal Year 2023 FTA expects to continue funding the one existing Bus Testing Center. FTA also has continued to improve upon an enhanced online based bus testing request system. The FTA Bus Testing Portal has been launched and has proven to be a successful addition to the program.
Fiscal Year 2024 FTA anticipates the Altoona Bus Testing Center will conduct between 15 to 18 tests. FTA anticipates modernizing and updating the Bus Testing Program to meet the needs of new vehicle innovations, as well as supporting facility upgrades at the Bus Testing Center The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), continues the bus testing facility program, which funds one bus testing facility for testing new bus models for maintainability, reliability, safety, performance, structural integrity, fuel economy, emissions, and noise., Title Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (IIJA), Section 30008
Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 provided $2M for additional funding for the Bus Testing program., Title Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 The Pennsylvania State University. Same as eligible applicant. FTA will specify any required documentation in the notice of funding opportunity published to support the various sections and programs. An organization should make sure to fit in the eligible category and have an Employee Identification or Tax Identification documentation from the IRS. At a minimum, the initial proposal should include the standard form required for use as a cover sheet for submission of pre-applications and applications "instructions for application for federal assistance (SF-424) form", project objectives, performance measures, background, and project description, including schedule, budget, and applicant's organizational experience. Applicants approved will have to do a resolution by an authorized body approving the filing of an application; do an opinion of counsel letter from an attorney approving to apply for and receive Federal funds; complete certificates and assurances as compiled in FTA's Annual List of Certifications and Assurances. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program. Preapplication coordination is required. An environmental impact statement is required for this listing. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. The organization applying for assistance must register with the proper entities. Organizations applying for awards must be a legal entity with an EIN, must have a DUNS number/Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)), must register with SAM and required to renew their online SAM registration annually. An applicant must submit a standard form (SF-424) that is used for all grant applications. This form collects information including type of submission, applicant information, type of applicant, and proposed project dates. Also, applicants are required to complete item 16 on SF-424 regarding clearance by the State Single Point of Contact. An organization must submit a project management plan or a detailed statement of work and a data management plan, if required. In addition, FTA guidance for this program can be found in FTA Circular 6100.1E, "Research, Technical Assistance and Training Program: Application Instructions and Program Management Guidelines." Applicants should follow the instructions, which may be found at https://www.transit.dot.gov. A FTA agreement obligating Federal funds is reflected in an agreement . A web based system is used to award and manage agreements. In order to access this system, a user name and password can be obtained by contacting the program manager at FTA Headquarters. Specific terms and conditions may apply and incorporated into the assistance agreement. Once the funds are reserved and the project information has been reviewed and approved by Headquarters, the recipient must execute the agreement to access the funds. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines From 30 to 60 days. Not applicable. This assistance listing is renewed annually. The recipient is required to update their statement of work for projects of an ongoing nature and submit a current year budget. Additional time to complete a project by amendment may be requested. Proposals for assistance must address evaluation criteria related to the capabilities of the bus testing facility, the technical capability, the staffing capacity, and financial cost efficiency of the operator to execute and report the results of fifteen full twelve-year service life tests a year within the allocated annual assistance budget for the program and the required 20% testing fee collected (non-federal). The evaluation criteria for the bus testing facility include: 1. Ability to operate and test all transit bus types in a controlled environment including 60-foot articulated buses and motor coaches. 2. Ability to supply and accurately meter all transit bus fuel types (gasoline, diesel, LPG, CNG, electricity, and hydrogen). 3. Ability to test buses at sustained highway speeds. 4. Availability of a paved roadway suitable for the conduct of braking, performance, and stability tests. 5. Availability of a shop area capable of supporting the simultaneous maintenance of multiple heavy-vehicles. 6. Availability of a dedicated test site for conducting noise testing. 7. Availability of a durability test track that closely approximates the design of the Altoona Bus Research and Test Center's durability test course. 8. Availability of suitable facilities to conduct all of the other Structural Integrity tests currently required by the program. The evaluation criteria for the bus testing facility operator include: 1. Adequacy of the qualifications and experience of facility operator personnel to conduct automotive and other engineering tests on transit buses. 2. Level of organizational independence with no financial interests in bus manufacturing. 3. Adequacy of established procedures and funding for the calibration and maintenance of test facilities and equipment. 4. Knowledge of current and upcoming medium and heavy-duty bus technologies. 5. Ability to develop new test methodologies and instrumentation to address new bus performance categories. 6. Experience with electric-drive vehicles, battery performance and safety, and bus battery charging technology and equipment. 7. Experience with the unique safety, performance and metrology issues with gaseous fuels. 8. Ability and experience of preparing and publishing consumer oriented test reports. 9. Ability and experience to support an on-line test report repository. 10. Ability and experience to provide effective and responsive administrative and technical support to test customers and test repot consumers. FTA funds 80 percent of the costs associated with testing a vehicle at the facility from amounts available to carry out this section. The entity having the vehicle tested shall pay 20 percent of the cost. The funding can only be used for the operation and maintenance of facilities capable of testing new transit bus models and reporting on their maintainability, reliability, safety, performance (including braking performance), structural integrity, fuel economy, emissions, and noise performance characteristics under 49 U.S.C Section 5318 Performance Reports: • Specific vehicle testing reports are required for all vehicles tested, other specific reports may be requested by the FTA Program Manager. • Final Technical (Performance) Report. At the conclusion of a project, the recipient post final reports on its website at: www.altoonabustest.psu.edu/test-reports/index.aspx. Penn State University completes an annual single audit. In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503 Recipients shall maintain for three (3) years from the date of submission of a final expenditure report, pending resolution of audit findings, adequate books, all financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to the Award Agreement. Statutory Formula: Title Bus Testing Facilities Public Law 116-94 - DEC. 20, 2019, 133 STAT. 2962 This program has no matching requirement, but does require sharing the cost of vehicle testing. The entity operating and maintaining the facility shall establish and collect fees for the testing of vehicles at the facility. The Secretary must approve the fees. The operator of the facility shall collect 20% of the cost of testing a bus from the entity having the vehicle tested. The remaining 80% of the cost shall be paid with provided Federal funds.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. From the date an Award (Assistance Agreement) is executed, funds are available until expended. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Financial assistance is awarded as a cooperative agreement and funds are typically released in annual increments called budget. Financial assistance is awarded as a cooperative agreement and funds are typically released in annual increments called budget periods. Project funds are usually released quarterly. Terms and conditions of the agreement are negotiated and agreed upon between FTA and the applicant. None/Not specified. Mr. Jamel El-Hamri, General Engineer
Federal Transit Administration
Office of Infrastructure, Safety, and Asset Innovation,
TRI-20, Room E43-403
1200 New Jersey Ave. SE
East Building, 4th floor
Washington, DC 20590 US
jamel.el-hamri@dot.gov
Phone: (202) 366-8985

Mohammed Yousuf, Director
Federal Transit Administration
Office of Infrastructure, Safety, and Asset Innovation, TRI-20,
Room E41-301
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
East Building, 4th floor
Washington, DC 20590 USA
mohammed.yousuf@dot.gov
Phone: (202) 366-6140 http://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation/bus-testing 69-2812-0-1-401 (Project Grants) FY 22$0.00; FY 23 est $6,232,000.00; FY 24 est $6,793,000.00; FY 21$3,000,000.00; FY 20$6,000,000.00; FY 19$0.00; FY 18$4,278,842.00; FY 17$4,721,158.00; FY 16$3,000,000.00; - (Project Grants) FY 22$2,000,000.00; FY 23 est $2,000,000.00; FY 24 est $0.00; FY 21$0.00; FY 20$1,000,000.00; FY 19$2,000,000.00; FY 18$0.00; - Funds provided under General fund Transit Infrastructure grants 69-2812 FY 2021: $3,000,000 FY 2022: $7,000,000 FY 2023: $5,000,000 The implementing regulation for the bus testing program is 49 CFR Part 665. Additional guidelines and documents are available on FTA's Bus Testing website at https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation/bus-testing. Fiscal Year 2016 The standardized testing of new transit bus models is being performed with the awarded program funds. The standardized testing of new transit bus models is being performed with the awarded program funds.
Fiscal Year 2017 The Bus Testing Facility implemented the new program requirements outlined in the new Bus Testing Pass/Fail rulemaking. The demand for testing services is expected to remain strong with additional zero-emission bus models expected to enter the marketplace. Also, FTA is developing a standardized test request form that will be made available on the FTA external site. This form will incorporate comments from OMB and stakeholders during the previous information collection request.
Fiscal Year 2018 The Bus Testing Center tested new bus models and previously-tested models being produced with major changes and issue full and partial Bus Testing Reports. FTA will work to coordinate the testing and reporting procedures of the two new LoNo bus testing centers with the existing bus testing center.
Fiscal Year 2019 FUNDED PROJECT FOR FY 2019 INCLUDE: FTA funded the operation of the Bus Testing Center.
Fiscal Year 2020 FUNDED PROJECT DURING FY 2020 INCLUDE: FTA funded the Bus Testing program which tests buses for safety, structural integrity, durability, performance, maintainability, noise, and fuel economy for all new model buses.
Fiscal Year 2021 EXPECT TO FUND PROJECT IN FY 2021 INCLUDE: FTA expects to continue funding the operation of the Bus Testing program to test new bus models and previously-tested models being produced with major changes and issue full and partial Bus Testing reports.
Fiscal Year 2023 FTA expects to continue funding the operation of the Bus Testing program to test new bus models and previously-tested models being produced with major changes and issue full and partial Bus Testing reports.
Fiscal Year 2024 FTA anticipates that federal funding will continue the Bus Testing program. FTA is currently looking into modernizing the program and may propose changes.