Continue funding support for the operation of the FTA bus testing center at penn state universitys larson transportation institute (LTI)

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded a $5.35 million Cooperative Agreement to The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) on September 19, 2025, through the Bus Testing program (CFDA 20.529) to continue operating the FTA Bus Testing Center at Penn State's Larson Transportation Institute through September 30, 2029. Under this award, Penn State will conduct federally mandated testing of new transit bus models and previously tested models with major modifications to determine compliance with federal requirements under 49 U.S.C. 5318 and 49 CFR Part 665. The testing encompasses multiple performance dimensions including maintainability, reliability, safety performance (including braking), structural integrity, fuel economy, emissions, and noise.

Penn State will deliver comprehensive test reports for each bus model evaluated, providing pass/fail scores that determine whether buses meet minimum performance criteria required for Federal Transit Administration funding eligibility. These reports directly inform procurement decisions by FTA grantees nationwide and support the acquisition of more reliable, efficient, and safer transit buses. The award includes no subrecipient activities, with all testing and reporting services performed directly by Penn State's Larson Transportation Institute facility.

Purpose

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). This work involves performing federally mandated testing of transit buses to satisfy the requirements in 49 U.S.C. 5318 and 49 CFR part 665.

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 and 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 satisfy statutory and regulatory requirements and inform the decision making of FTA grantees during the procurement process. Reports will 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.