Dynamic simulation and life cycle greenhouse gas impact assessment of CNG, LNG, and diesel-powered transit buses in British Columbia, Canada

In this study, a regional life-cycle assessment (LCA) framework is developed to assess compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel alternatives to diesel for a transit bus in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The driving pattern and road gradient of a public transit bus route are considered in both directions to capture real-world driving behavior. The real-time fuel consumption and emissions of the transit bus configurations are calculated by dynamic vehicle simulation using Simcenter Amesim software. By considering the effect of road gradient, a 12% difference in computed fuel consumption is shown for bus travel in the two opposing directions of the bus line. The results also reveal that the majority of life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are associated with on-board emissions. Overall, switching from diesel to CNG or LNG reduces GHG emissions by 4.8% and 8.1%, respectively.

Automated summary

This study developed a regional life cycle assessment framework to evaluate CNG and LNG as fuel alternatives for transit buses in Victoria, Canada. Results showed switching from diesel to CNG or LNG can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4.8% and 8.1% respectively, with the majority of emissions associated with on-board emissions.