Top Tech Innovations

Gannett Fleming – Sounds of Transit

While working with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Gannett Fleming Inc. evaluated multiple transit technologies for an 85-mile, 28-city corridor. Through the planning process and public outreach, one highly controversial component was the sound impact. FDOT required a solution to convey transit sound samples to stakeholders.

Now communities can hear the difference — literally.

Gannett Fleming designed Sounds of Transit, a computer-based interactive sound information system (ISIS) developed by David Dubbink Associates, for presenting information about noise in the environment. Sounds of Transit is the first application that enhanced the ISIS with video, instead of graphic imagery and animation.

To populate the ISIS, Gannett Fleming developed a library of recorded and calibrated digital audio and video recordings of various transit alternatives; the team collected sound samples for 20 transit and rail technologies.

Sounds of Transit is able to simulate the different train types at several distances from the source, as well as outside and inside environments.

This system revolutionized public involvement in that now there is an audiovisual tool where the public can hear actual transit sounds, helping them clearly understand the sound levels. Communities in the path of infrastructure improvements can accurately experience the auditory effect of a proposed project.

The system conveys sound information in a format that requires no special technical knowledge of noise management strategies as it is independent of language and noise metric systems.

Sounds of Transit can be applied to any transit planning participation setting for decision makers or community members and additional data can be added easily. The application also includes high-speed rail samples from other countries, which could be useful in plans for high-speed rail throughout the United States, as well as areas outside the United States where development of new transportation systems is underway. This tool can help assist agencies and communities to make informed choices related to sound.

 “Sounds of Transit is a powerful, revolutionary audiovisual innovation tool that will change the public’s perception of noise.”

-Dr. Ahmed El-Aassar,INCE, ASA, senior acoustical consultant, Gannett Fleming Inc.

Nova Bus – All-Electric Engine Cooling System

A proprietary, integrated engineering electric engine cooling system improves the buses’ performance through reductions in maintenance costs, fuel consumption and polluting emissions.

The system’s 13 variable-speed brushless fans are designed to last the life of the bus. Improved fuel efficiency affords up to 15 percent fuel economy from the lower overall power draw from the engine. Reduced maintenance costs are seen due to the elimination of the oil cooler and manifold. The system is positioned for the cleanest and coolest air intake.

The all-electric engine cooling system is designed for serviceability and integrated in the Volvo multiplex system for easy diagnostics.

“In developing our product portfolio, we continuously work in partnership with key transit stakeholders to combine the best of manufacturer and operator field expertise. In 2010, we further advanced the electrification of bus components by designing a proprietary, integrated engineering electric engine cooling system. This new system improves transit agencies’ productivity through significant reductions in maintenance costs, fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.”

-Nadine Bernard, Nova Bus marketing director

Thermo King Corp., a business of Ingersoll Rand – Alternator-Powered All-Electric HVAC

While all-electric heating, ventilation and air conditioning for hybrid buses and trolley buses is a well-established technology, Thermo King offers a unique innovative solution that supplies high voltage power to the electric HVAC unit using an alternator driven by the bus engine. The alternator output is conditioned and stabilized before being used to power the electric compressors and fan motors regardless of engine speed.