Gas Turbine Application in Transit Vehicles

During the engineering and public demonstration testing phases of the Transbus Program, the three prototype coaches equipped with gas turbine powerplants exhibited some advantageous operational characteristics that warranted further investigation. Consequently, Booz, Allen Applied Research investigated the gas turbine engine as a potential power source for transit coaches. An in-depth survey was conducted of gas turbine engine manufacturers, whose products may be suitable for transit coaches, to determine their merits as compared to those of the diesel engine. Only Detroit Diesel Allison Division (DDAD) has a product sufficiently developed to warrant serious consideration of volume production. This investigation indicates that while current engines are not economically justifiable, the gas turbine engine may be potentially superior to the diesel.