Future Of Public Transportation............Electric Bus Service Using Quasi-Zenith Satellite System We believe that the electric bus will be a vital part of future urban transportation solutions in a low carbon society. In September 2014, we launched an electric bus service at our Fuchu location (25 km west of Tokyo), in order to perform system tests that include recharging management and operation management. Our electric buses were made by converting used diesel buses and installing Toshiba’s secondary battery SCiB™ as the storage battery. Since converting the buses to electric, fuel costs have been reduced by 70%-80%. We expect to cut CO2 emissions by 30%. Additionally, particulate matter (PM) and mono-nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions have been reduced to zero. The electric buses have been converted from previous models, which ran on diesel fuel. from TOSHIBA on Vimeo. The storage battery is installed under the floor of the bus for a more compact design, so seating space for passengers is the same as in the previous diesel bus configurations. As a result, we are able to provide a quiet and comfortable ride for our Fuchu Complex visitors, with no noise, vibration, or gasoline odors. Data on location, remaining battery power, and reduced CO2 emissions are transmitted over a network between the buses and the monitoring center. That information is displayed inside the bus for view by the passengers. This data is also displayed in the offices of the Fuchu Complex and on digital signage at the guest center, helping to reduce waiting times for the buses by showing exactly where they are en route. The entire Fuchu Complex is taking part in this experimental test. We are also taking advantage of the new Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), by installing GPS for that system in each electric bus. The Quasi-Zenith Satellite System can be seen in the zenith direction, or directly overhead, so it can locate the bus without disruption by mountains or buildings. This system provides much improved accuracy in tracking location. There is also a plan for a GPS system that would deliver even higher accuracy that could pinpoint the location of a bus by a few centimeters. The electric bus will play an important role in our urban landscape moving forward. In addition to reducing carbon emissions, the batteries in the electric bus could also provide emergency electricity for the community in times of disaster. At Toshiba, we are developing comprehensive energy management solutions for smart cities and smart communities. The electric bus system that we are testing in Fuchu is one aspect of many building blocks for a safer, sustainable, and more comfortable society. Source: toshiba-smartcommunity/
Posted on: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 18:19:38 +0000
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