A European vision for more environmentally friendly buses

This paper deals with EBSF - European Bus System of the Future, 3iBS - the Intelligent, Innovative Integrated Bus Systems and ZeEUS - Zero Emission bUs Systems, three research projects funded by the European Commission, with the aim to develop a new generation of buses across Europe. The common task is, on the one hand, to develop innovative solutions to increase the attractiveness of this mode of transport and, on the other, to operate more environmentally friendly vehicles. Key working areas are more comfortable internal layouts, advanced ITS-based solutions to improve operations, new engines designed to save fuel and the enhancement of the electric option. Concern for the environment lies behind the majority of these innovations. The innovations are tested in real urban environments and performance assessed through Key Performance Indicators. The assessment is a classical before-and-during comparison of performance. Within EBSF it was also possible to perform a Transferability Exercise (TE) to assess the theoretical exportability of the innovations to more urban contexts. The research objective of this paper is to critically revise the projects’ results and present them for further assessments and applications beyond the European projects field. Results thus far stressed contrasting aspects within a common vision for the development of a new generation of buses. Stakeholders are well aware of the need to comply with the strictest European standards in the field of sustainable mobility. This is shown by the fact that the majority of them are becoming more environmentally aware about the need to renew their bus fleets. However, because of economical reasons they fail to consider any environmental concerns in the TE, even when these should be crucial in the transfer decisions.