Ohio State University will establish and operate a new test center to support the deployment of zero- and low-emission public transit buses with the support of a $26.5 million investment from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Ohio State President Kristina M. Johnson joined U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, university leaders, educators, students, and government and industry partners to make the announcement Friday at the Center for Automotive Research. Johnson and Brown toured the facility and discussed the future of transportation that reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
“I want to commend Sen. Brown’s steadfast leadership in securing this important investment,” Johnson said. “The transport sector is the largest domestic contributor to climate change and generates more greenhouse gas emissions than any other part of our economy. Stimulating the use of public transport can help reduce that impact. That is why it is so important that the bus fleet of the future is as clean and energy-efficient as possible. This investment recognizes and supports the innovative research and testing work being done by the Ohio State Center for Automotive Research to maximize clean, safe and efficient mobility to further the FTA’s mission.”
Financing for the investment was made possible by the bipartisan Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act, also called the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Brown helped write and pass on.
“The bipartisan infrastructure law is already getting funds to Ohio communities to improve transportation,” Brown said. “We’ve made sure that the Infrastructure Act will empower communities to upgrade their buses, and with our long history of the Ohio auto industry leading the country and the world, our state is the obvious choice to run this innovative I’m working to make sure Ohio gets its fair share — or more — of infrastructure investment, and this is a big step in that effort.”
The new agreement will support the construction and operation of the test center through fiscal year 2026. The funds will go towards establishing a dedicated research, development and testing laboratory at CAR’s facilities on the university’s western campus.
The new lab will include component and vehicle-level test and validation equipment, with a focus on batteries and energy storage, hydrogen fuel cells, electric motors and power electronics. The test center will also utilize the network of on-road testing facilities of the university-affiliated Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC), North America’s most advanced vehicle proving ground, and the SMARTCenter, an advanced test track for vehicle automation testing and development. TRC is adding a wide range of facilities and expertise to the program to accelerate the development and implementation of zero- and low-emission transit vehicle technologies.
Ohio State’s expertise in mobility research will help the transportation industry develop and deploy the cleanest and most energy-efficient buses and transit vehicles. The program also helps transit agencies in the US select the best vehicles and technologies to meet the needs of their customers. The university’s test center will work with transportation vehicle manufacturers, parts suppliers, industry associations and transportation companies. The resulting research will be used by the public transportation industry and the FTA.
“Investments in public transportation boost U.S. industry and its workforce, mitigate climate change and fuel innovation,” said FTA administrator Nuria Fernandez. “Thanks to President Biden and Chairman Brown, this partnership with Ohio State University combines the significant investment in low-emission transit vehicles enabled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act with the talent and expertise of the Center for Automotive Research. The transit sector continues to lead the way in advancing the climate, equality, innovation and workforce development goals prioritized by this government.”
Research and testing at the center will be led by dedicated technical personnel and supported by research faculty, senior research personnel and skilled laboratory and testing technicians. All aspects of the programs will involve students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. In addition, the program supports CAR’s STEM education and K-12 initiatives, including summer internships for high school students and a mobility research summer camp.
“This program will enable us to further expand our efforts to develop the electric mobility workforce that our industry and country need,” said Giorgio Rizzoni, director of the Center for Automotive Research. “We are pleased to assist the FTA in its goal of achieving zero emissions in the transit fleet.”
The Ohio State Bus Test Center is supported by funding Brown has received to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission bus technology. Brown worked on enacting FTA’s bus component testing program in the Transportation Act of 2015 and additional financing insured in annual credits.
Article courtesy of The Ohio State University.
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