OC Explained: Temperature Monitoring on Buses
Senior Project Manager, Jasjeet, is leading the team who are working with the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), to help determine if they can regulate the temperature on transit buses to reduce energy consumption.
So, this is a pretty cool story. Some might say it’s a hot topic.
OC Transpo has joined cities such as London, Berlin, Belfast, Stockholm, Dubai, Izmir, Nantes, and Barcelona in an international study on temperature on public transit.
Coordinated by the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), the study is looking to find out how we can reduce energy consumption while providing a comfortable trip for passengers.
We caught up with Jasjeet on OC Transpo’s Engineering Services team to find out more about the ongoing study.
Our target temperature for a bus in service is around 21 degrees Celsius. Each bus is equipped with a thermostat to help regulate the temperature.
Jasjeet is a Senior Project Manager with OC Transpo’s Engineering Services Department. He is leading OC Transpo’s temperature monitoring study on our electric buses.
“Taking the bus is not only about getting a customer from A to B. It’s also about getting them to their destination in comfort,” said Jasjeet.
From left to right: to help make the commute of passengers more comfortable, Victor, Jeremy, Kevin and Jasjeet have been working with the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) on a project that looks at how to regulate temperature on buses.
Earlier this year, specialized equipment was installed on a Zero-Emission bus to help monitor changes in temperature.
For four days in February, data was gathered to see how well the bus regulated temperature. Testing occurred when the outdoor temperature was -27 degrees Celsius.
Sensors were installed at the front, middle and back of the bus. In addition, two OC Transpo employees were on the bus to gather information directly from customers.
“We are trying to determine an acceptable temperature point. Outdoor temperature, door openings, passenger clothing, the duration of a commute, driver comfort and vent locations all have an impact on the bus’ temperature and comfort level,” said Jasjeet.
Temperature monitoring equipment was installed on one OC Transpo bus back in February.
What’s next?
Once all the data is collected, participating cities will compare data to determine an ideal temperature.
This will help guide transit agencies by establishing a target temperature and determine other guidelines that balance passenger comfort with energy consumption.
The results of the data gathered are expected to be available to staff in the coming months. Jasjeet and the work of his team will benefit the customer experience by making their commute more tolerable, ensuring it is not too hot or too cold on the bus.
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