Extrusions for Transit Solutions
For a diesel-powered city bus making several stops, weight reduction of 100 kilograms will save 2,550 liters of fuel over its lifetime, and significantly reduce CO2 emissions and maintenance costs.
![Aluminum extruded bus frame](/sites/default/files/styles/stacked_top/public/2022-12/AltairBUSolution_img_gall-3.gif?itok=tYXjtXZF)
![Altair Hybrid Electric Bus](/sites/default/files/styles/stacked_bottom/public/2022-12/AltairBUSolutions_Img01_082911b.gif?itok=2qySck85)
BUSolutions developed a hybrid hydraulic bus, which is a public-private advanced transit bus development initiative by Altair Product Design, Inc. The innovative transit bus features an all-aluminum body and chassis, making extensive use of extrusion. As a result of the extruded parts, the bus is 10% lighter than conventional diesel buses and has a 20% less lifetime cost.
Extruded for Innovation
Introduced at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China, an extruded aluminum spaceframe bus was designed using single and multi-void hollow aluminum alloy 6063 extrusions and advanced manufacturing technologies to achieve 15 to 20 percent weight reduction, while maintaining safety and enhancing sustainability performance. The Alcoa-Yutong bus design was the first in a new family of innovative ‘Green’ buses operating globally.
![Interior of train with aluminum extruded components](/sites/default/files/styles/stacked_top/public/2022-12/apmdullesphoto29-adj_800x600.jpg?itok=iAQ0Qg8c)
![Dulles Airport Automated People Mover Train](/sites/default/files/styles/stacked_bottom/public/2022-12/apmdullesphoto31-crop-Sumitomo%20Corp%20of%20Amer_1200w.jpg?itok=ehkRvdHi)
Aluminum Extrusions are used extensively on, in and under the Automated People Mover (APM). Called the AeroTrain at Washington Dulles International Airport, the trains have been in use since 2010. Riding on 28,000 feet of extruded aluminum power rails, the 29 cars and station include 128 door headers and thresholds made of extruded aluminum. The APM reaches speeds of up to 50 miles per hour on rubber wheels that face less wear and tear thanks to lightweight, structurally strong extruded aluminum high-powered rails, which played a crucial role in the Dulles APM system. Similar systems are in place at the Dallas-Ft. Worth (DFW) airport and San Francisco International Airport.
Images: © Sumitomo Corporation of America
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