Alternative Fuel Bus Developed For Yellowstone Park

A modernized version of the traditional Yellowstone National Park tour bus has been developed as a low emission, cost effective community and transit shuttle bus of the future. The vehicle will be manufactured using several optional engines to allow use of alternative fuels such as natural gas, propane, ethanol and biodiesel.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) worked with the automotive industry, the Federal Transit Administration, and the National Park Service to develop the new yellow bus. The new vehicle was unveiled in Yellowstone National Park on August 25 as part of the park’s centennial celebration of the Roosevelt Arch.

One purpose of the collaborative effort is protection of the park’s pristine environment, combined with a drive to increase national security by reducing dependence on foreign sources of energy.

While this version of the traditional bus retains the conventional feel of the older model park vehicles, the new bus is an 18 to 32 passenger vehicle that uses alternative fuel, features a low floor and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The passenger area of the bus is built low to the ground so steps are not required for entry and its entry ramp can be extended to accommodate passengers in wheelchairs. The bus has a retractable roof to allow passengers greater visibility to the outdoors. An optional feature is tracks for traveling over snow in winter.

This first bus is a model for Yellowstone National Park, says Kerry Klingler, INEEL project manager.

“While the development of the prototype is the result of a need by the National Park Service for a year-round transit vehicle that could be used for park operations, market analysis indicates the vehicle will have broad application in municipal transit and private sector transportation as well,” says Klingler.

Partners in the project with INEEL include Heart International, Ruby Mountain, Yellowstone National Park/National Park Service, Greater Yellowstone/Teton Clean Cities Coalition, ASG Renaissance and Hadley Products.
Provided by theEnvironmental News Service.