About

Auburn University was competitively awarded the Federal Transit Administration’s Low and No Emission Component Assessment Program (FTA LoNo CAP) to support transit vehicle manufacturers (TVM), suppliers and transit agencies. Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 5312(h),the LoNo CAP scope includes directed research, capital investments and testing in support of both the LoNo CAP and FTA’s mission, values and goals

Testing

Auburn University is currently providing a multi-phase testing program for New Flyer consisting of a complete vehicle vulnerability assessment followed by specific penetration tests. These tests are required for compliance with the various transit authorities to ensure the security of vehicles and on-vehicles devices. New Flyer and the transit agencies provide Auburn with vehicle topology for initial assessments followed by access to full low and no emission buses for complete tests, including Vulnerability Assessments and Penetration Tests. The Statement of Work, Phase 1 Vulnerability Assessment Plan, Phase 2 Test Results, Phase 3 (deliverable 4) Test Results, and Phase 3 (deliverable 5) Test Results are below.

Directed Research

Call for Proposals

Auburn University’s LoNo CAP is soliciting internal directed research proposals. The solicitation is scheduled annually; however, this may change based on the selected project quantity and budget requests. TVMs, transit agencies, academic partners and component suppliers have collectively expressed several areas of LoNo emission bus research needs, and this request for proposals seeks submissions responding to targeted technological needs including:

  • enhancing or enabling bus cabin heating ventilation and air conditioning systems in electrified buses
  • addressing battery aging, charging/discharging and the interplay of environmental conditions on batteries
  • developing/validating bus driver assistance and automation systems
  • elucidating and mitigating cybersecurity issues
  • promoting health, safety and wellness of bus operators and occupants

The 2023 LoNo CAP Directed Research Program will consider proposals of up to a three year maximum duration ending Dec. 31, 2026

Funded Proposals

After the first call for proposals, two proposals were funded and these proposals along with the statements of work are as follow:

  • Zero Emission Bus Material Efficiency Optimization

    The objective of this project is to increase understanding of the energy efficiency of construction materials (windows and structural panels) used in zero emission buses, to develop and apply testing methodologies to these materials, and to create a heat-transfer model for energy losses through these materials. These advances will enable improved decision-making by the zero emission bus industry by providing benchmarks, testing methodologies, and tools for comparative assessment of zero emission bus materials. The objective will be addressed collaboratively by Auburn University and the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) through interconnected tasks.

  • Development of Industry Recognized Cybersecurity Testing Environment

    To address growing mass transit system cybersecurity concerns, this project aims to assist transit agencies and OEMs develop a plan to mitigate risks by developing a field deployable cybersecurity testing protocol and environment. Auburn University will team with CALSTART and leverage relationships with transit agencies and OEMs to host a working group to identify broader cybersecurity threats and develop requirements to build within the cybersecurity testing environment. Knowledge gained during the cybersecurity testing environment development will be disseminated through recurring quarterly meetings along with relevant take-away materials that will assist transit agencies in developing more effective security best practices for transit systems. Security protocol test events will be refined by the working group, incorporated by Auburn University, and briefed at subsequent working group meetings.