Date Approved

9-27-2023

Embargo Period

10-2-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Civil Engineering

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

College

Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering

Advisor

Mohammad Jalayer, Ph.D.

Committee Member 1

Yusuf Mehta, Ph.D.

Committee Member 2

Jie Li, Ph.D.

Committee Member 3

Thomas Brennan, Ph.D.

Keywords

Electric Bus, Fast charger, GHG Emissions, On-route charger, Optimization, Transit Bus

Subject(s)

Buses, Electric; Sustainable transportation

Disciplines

Civil Engineering | Transportation Engineering

Abstract

The transportation sector is a major contributor to air pollution and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. As a significant source of emissions, public transportation presents an opportunity for mitigation through electrification. However, transitioning to an electric bus fleet necessitates substantial investments in bus procurement and charging infrastructure. To address the associated costs, this study introduces a mixed-integer linear mathematical model developed to optimize the location of on-route fast charging stations within bus networks. The central objective of this optimization formulation is to minimize the overall cost of establishing the charging infrastructure. The study employs a real-world case study focusing on a Camden, NJ, USA bus network. Key considerations include optimizing charging station locations considering time constraints at bus stops to avoid schedule delays and inconvenience for passengers during the charging process. Furthermore, the study investigates the sensitivity of the optimization model in response to variations in parameters. Notably, battery capacity, charger power, average energy consumption, dwell time, and minimum and maximum state of charge significantly affect the optimal locations and required number of chargers. The insights generated from this study are anticipated to offer valuable guidance to policymakers, practitioners, and researchers involved in planning the transition of bus fleets towards zero-emission vehicles.

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