Purpose of the award: the purpose of this award is to continue funding support for the operation of the FTA bus testing center at penn state universitys larson transportation institute (LTI)

The Pennsylvania State University will receive $3 million under a cooperative agreement award from the Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration through September 2026. The award will support the continued operation of the FTA Bus Testing Center at Penn State's Larson Transportation Institute to conduct federally mandated testing of new transit bus models. As outlined in the Bus Testing program (CFDA 20.529), the Center will evaluate buses for maintainability, reliability, safety, performance, structural integrity, fuel economy, emissions, and noise. The Larson Transportation Institute will prepare comprehensive test reports on each bus model, including a pass/fail determination in accordance with federal regulations. This will provide procurement guidance to FTA grant recipients and enhance bus manufacturer performance and safety. No subrecipients are included in this award.

Activities

The activities conducted under this award involve the continuation of testing on new bus models and previously tested bus models produced with major changes that are intended to be purchased using FTA funding. Buses will be tested for maintainability reliability safety performance (including braking performance) structural integrity fuel economy emissions noise. LTI will prepare a comprehensive test report for each bus model tested that will provide a pass/fail score in accordance with the federal regulation.

Expected outcomes

The expected outcome to this work is to provide comprehensive test results that will inform the decision making of FTA grantees during the procurement process. Reports will also provide a pass/fail score that determines whether a new bus model meets the minimum expected performance criteria necessary to be eligible for FTA funding.

Intended beneficiaries

The intended beneficiaries of this work include taxpayers FTA grantees procuring new bus models bus manufacturers that will enhance the performance reliability and safety of their vehicles and transit users who will benefit from more reliable efficient and safer buses.

Subrecipient activities

There are no subrecipients under this award.