Researcher
Jan Deman
- Research Expertise:
Throughout their existence, Busworld and Busworld Foundation have been a focal point for people who want to find all kinds of information on the many aspects of the bus and coach industry. Using our worldwide network of exhibitors, operators, academics, journalists, engineers and other contacts, we have always been able to point people in the right direction.
Busworld Foundation has three main objectives, mainly to acquire, bundle and share bus and coach related knowledge about all aspects of the industry, including technological developments to enhance sustainable mobility, legislation, markets and more specialised topics, such as coach tourism. These topics can be categorised in three main fields: Safety, Sustainability and Comfort.
AQUIRE......means that we will look for all existing knowledge, studies, projects and proposals. A lot of research is being done, but some of it is not communicated well enough. On top of this, we need to motivate schools, colleges and universities to undertake new research with suitable qualified partners, especially when there is need for extra knowledge in a certain area.
BUNDLE......means making all this information, both existing and new, “findable” or retrievable.
SHARE......means making this knowledge available for other parties to support bus and coach development worldwide through the Busworld communication channels and through the participation of Busworld Academy Expert Members in seminars, congresses and other events where the right knowledge can and will make the difference.
KNOWLEDGE......in Busworld Foundation will be organised in four main categories:
- Technological developments: the research and development departments of the bus and coach industry and other related industries; academics, engineers, experts in various fields, and students. This will concentrate on important topics like safety, sustainable mobility (weight of vehicles, mobility, alternative energy…) and the availability of funding for research.
- Legislation: the construction and use of buses and coaches; emissions legislation; Bus Rapid Transit and school buses; import and export regulations. This will have links with legal authorities and trade associations like IRU and UITP.
- Market information: this will describe the bus and coach business per region, especially those where Busworld is active. We will collate all available statistics and market research. This information will be important for people involved in marketing, product planning, aftersales, and for journalists.
- Specialised topics such as Coach Tourism and Niche Markets
- Keywords:low emission, fuel cel, CNG, LNG, electrical, diesel, TCO
- Disciplines:Other engineering and technology not elsewhere classified
- Research techniques:The project “Introduction of Low-Emission Buses to Private Bus Operators” has a number of priority objectives: • To be a research project where knowledge is gathered and sharedo Busworld Foundation and BAAV do not perform comparative tests, we collect as much information as possible for the futureo With the entrepreneurs, with the constructors, with our knowledge partners, with the government, and via “Best Practices” • Develop, use and fill in a TCO model by the entrepreneur / potential buyer himselfo This is to allow the constructor / supplier to submit the best possible quotationo In a 1-1 consultation between the entrepreneur and the constructor • Compile a manual / manual that guides the entrepreneur / potential buyero When making strategic decisions regarding the conversion of an existing fleet of vehicleso When evaluating the existing charging infrastructureo With the possible subsidy channels that exist at the Flemish and / or European level
The intention is to facilitate the introduction of EAB at Flemish private bus companies by offering a scenario that guides the company in a number of steps in the transition to EAB and thus lowers the threshold for concrete innovation.
The knowledge acquisition will, among other things, come from setting up 2 learning networks of 4 sessions in which all stakeholders involved are represented, and in which at least 10 companies from the target group participate.
Extensive dissemination of knowledge to all bus companies is done through publications in Car & Bus-Magazine, through the websites of BAAV, Busworld Academy and FBAA, and through the organization of various information meetings, training courses, master classes, company visits, etc. Six actions are provided, each with 15 participants.
We motivate all Flemish bus companies to further translate the results of this project into their own company situation and to take the first steps towards the use of EAB.
- Users of research expertise:We distinguish 3 real target groups, taking into account the fact that most companies are active in 2 or 3 subsectors:
• Regular Transporto 58 private companies subcontract to De Lijn for 50% of the scheduled services. Through the tendering of those scheduled services (first tender is expected in 2023), De Lijn can demand the immediate use of EAB. We expect that 8 companies will further investigate or carry out tests on the implementation of EAB at their own company as a result of this project.
• Special Scheduled Transporto 151 companies provide school services. This is also done on behalf of and after tendering by De Lijn. School transport to schools located in a low or zero emission zone will have to evolve towards adapted vehicles in the coming years. We expect concrete follow-up or implementation within 5 companies.
• Occasional Transporto About 190 companies offer coach services. They cover greater distances, but still want to be able to drop off their customers in city centers with low emission zones. The pressure on this sub-sector is less than with scheduled services or school transport. We expect follow-up within 10 companies.