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The need to reduce the injury to pedestrians that are run over or pinned beneath a bus is an ongoing concern for transit authorities and other operators. Occasionally, a pedestrian will be run over by the right rear wheel while exiting the rear door. This accident occurs in various scenarios such as when people exit the bus and become entangled in the door grab bars, or when they fall between the curb and the bus while it approaches or departs. With all scenarios, the S-1 Gard acts similar to a cow catcher, pushing the fallen pedestrian out and away from the rear tire. This paper will: outline various incident scenarios, evaluate the S-1 Gard's performance in a city environment, review installation of the guard as well as its maintenance requirements. The purpose of this paper is to bring to the attention of transit authorities and shuttle operators the overall value of this device.

For over a decade engine manufacturers have been pursuing alternative fuel strategies for vehicle powertrains. First came the discussion of fuel selection. Next, whether or not these alternative fuels can provide the utility offered by traditional diesel. Finally, the footrace of technology and hardware to provide utility, reliability and maintainability with the use of alternative fuels. Now the day has come where many alternative fuels are a practical reality. The body of this paper will discuss the utilization of natural gas as an alternative fuel. This paper targets the fleet operator in an effort to provide a single source of information in a concise format. A discussion of emission standards, engine operational strategies, component technology, fuel characteristics and the utility of using natural gas as a fuel will be addressed. The understanding of present and future engine development is of great importance to a successful fleet operation.

Emission standards derived to protect the environment have driven engine manufacturers to accelerate their efforts in engine emission development in order to meet the mandated standards. This paper will outline the current and upcoming emission standards, the technology involved in accomplishing the requirements and the solutions to in-service engines meeting their emission standards. The paper targets the fleet operator to provide a single source of information in an effort to alert them to upcoming requirements and what can be expected when specifying equipment for procurement. The technology discussed in this paper varies in its application for several engine makes and models. Since technology transfers from application to application it is vital that these ideas and concepts be explained.

When faced with an engine failure, the initial problem to solve is how to repair it. This translates into the choices of; in-house or external repair. With current labor rates as they are, most operators cannot afford to rebuild an engine themselves. Parts acquisition, shop space, technical knowledge, tooling and the fact that in-house rebuilds do not carry a warranty all act to sway the operator to external sources for assistance. An additional, but equal, concern is how much will the engine cost to repair. The body of this paper will discuss the technology involved in producing remanufactured engines. Topics covered are cost analysis, remanufacture specifications and process and fleet operational logistics using remanufactured engines.

The subject of alternate fuels has been addressed for the past 20 years in an effort to solve emissions and world fuel supply concerns. A recent study of the available literature and technology to date pointed out a need for a single source of information for the fleet operator. This paper will be divided into discussions of emissions requirements, world fuel supplies, alternate fuel options and the technical concerns to the fleet operator.

The importance of good public appearance cannot be overstated. Specialized paint schemes, a clean vehicle and good overall appearance are what operators try to achieve. However, safety must be the first concern when carrying passengers. Along this line is the ability to be seen when conditions are less favorable than the normal day to day circumstances provide. Is the vehicle visible at night without its lights on? Specifically, when stopped on the roadway or shoulder, is the vehicle visible from several hundred feet away? This paper will discuss the need to be seen under normal as well as emergency situations, and the methods of improving vehicle conspicuity through the use of reflective tape. The paper will also communicate the principles and criteria for the use of reflective tape. Additionally, a brief history of the concept, application techniques and concerns, product maintenance, test results and a dimensional application chart are provided.