Episode 40: Open Source Electric Bus

Eggleton, a graduate student at the University of Washington, is on a team developing an open source tool called Route Dynamics. The tool takes in data about proposed routes, from elevation to ridership levels to acceleration rates, and pumps out a prediction for battery usage. Once the data is in, the variables can be tweaked – less hilly? fewer passengers? slower acceleration? – to understand how they affect battery use and therefore the range of the vehicle. The tool is being tested in collaboration with King County Metro in Seattle, Washington.

As Eggleton says, any bicycle rider understands how hills and the weight you carry affect the ride. Similarly, Route Dynamics provides predictive data useful for understanding route and fleet options. The tool could be used to plot options for any electric vehicle or fleet.

A great podcast for those interested in electric vehicles and their potential to decarbonize transportation and make a healthier ride.