With the plethora of driveline and power options now facing operators – especially in the bus sector – I wonder if the manufacturers consider the law of unintended consequences?
I regularly travel on buses with engine start-stop technology and it’s clear that this feature frustrates some drivers, as it happens as soon as the parking brake is engaged and the doors opened, even if it is only to drop off one passenger.
But no worries, there’s an easy way to frustrate the system – don’t engage the parking brake. Just hold the bus on the foot brake as you load/unload passengers.
Of course there are the pesky ones who need the suspension lowering, so the parking brake may have to be used occasionally.
Probably the worst case I’ve experienced was when in the local bus station we stood for the full scheduled five-minute recovery time mid-trip with the bus held on the foot brake, and this at a stand on a slight slope.
So not only are the expected fuel savings not being achieved, but extra (unnecessary) risk has been imported.
I can understand the drivers’ frustration, especially when it’s only one person getting on or off. Maybe a partial answer is to programme in a hesitation of say 30 seconds after the parking brake has been engaged? But it only serves to emphasise the point that a system that doesn’t take into account human factors will not achieve its full potential.
Richard Delahoy
SiGNAL Training & Consultancy Services Ltd
Southend-on-Sea,
Essex
