Research & Consulting
Projects & Clients
What You Can Expect at CUTRIC’s Low Carbon Smart Mobility and Smart Rail Conference
The mass adoption of electrified transit and charging infrastructure is...
Read MoreBest Practices & Key Considerations for Transit Electrification Copy
Over the past five years, CUTRIC has successfully established itself...
Read MoreBest Practices & Key Considerations for Transit Electrification
Over the past five years, CUTRIC has successfully established itself...
Read MoreBrampton Transit – Feasibility analysis & simulation based planning
CUTRIC conducted a comprehensive full-fleet predictive modelling project for Brampton Transit that included both block-based and route-based data. The performance simulation of both battery electric buses (BEBs) and fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs) considered specific features of the transit system such as ridership, topography, and schedule. The work also considered various operational configurations and charging strategies, along with the impact of diesel-powered heaters and battery health gradient. The impact assessment of these varied operational conditions and cost considerations along with the GHG emission reduction potential will enable Brampton Transit to advance in their fleet electrification pathway.
CUTRIC used the physics-based, empirically validated RoutΣ.i™ 3.0 modelling toolset for this project.
Translink – Empirical data analytics of battery electric buses
As a part of CUTRIC’s Pan-Canadian Electric Bus Demonstration and Integration Trial Phase I, TransLink operates four BEBs and associated charging infrastructure. CUTRIC collects operational data from these assets for data validation and performance assessment to support TransLink’s progress in the electrification process scientifically and efficiently. CUTRIC uses CloudTransit™2.0, an in-house developed tool capable of processing data coming from vehicle and charger loggers into key performance indicators such as energy efficiency and battery state-of-charge, to conduct the empirical data analysis. CUTRIC’s CloudTranist™2.0 performs statistical analyses of those indicators and cross-references them with additional data sources such as weather information.
The project outcomes will help Translink be more informed to make better zero-emission bus and infrastructure investment decision making.
NATURAL RESOURCES CANADA – ZEB ROLLOUT PROCESS MAP DEVELOPMENT
Natural Resources Canada commissioned CUTRIC to prepare a guidance document and design a process map on the steps involved in zero-emission bus (ZEB) and associated infrastructure deployment and the rollout process through a project on “ZEB Rollout process map development”. CUTRIC designed this guidance document to aid transit agencies in their energy transition as it details the nine steps required for an efficient and seamless transition to ZEBs. The steps are summarized on the ‘Decarbonization journey’ page
LONDON TRANSIT COMMISSION
CUTRIC used its advanced RoutΣ.i™ 3.0 modelling toolset to conduct a comprehensive full-fleet and highly comprehensive ZEB implementation planning for London Transit Commission to facilitate its seamless energy transition. CUTRIC’s analyses included the technological feasibility assessment, optimization of asset utilization, schedule refinement, economic assessment considering capital and operational expenditures, lifecycle emission reduction assessment, social equity, and political landscape considerations.
Based on CUTRIC’s recommendations and research, LTC is able to receive a full implementation roadmap which will help LTC meet its climate action plans and implement their full fleet electrification plan as well as outline all the implications associated with fleet electrification.
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CONSULTING
Zero Emissions Bus
Consulting Services
The culmination of CUTRIC’s highly sophisticated modelling tools, Zero Emissions Bus (ZEB) Consulting Services help transit agencies, utilities and other allied organizations reach their decarbonization and electrification goals scientifically and neutrally. It includes RoutΣ.i™ 2.0, deCarbonify™, ZevMapper™, CloudTransit™ and more.
CUTRIC offers a full suite of services to support its clients throughout the process of decarbonization from technology feasibility assessment to full fleet ZEB implementation considering the current status of assets, identified needs, associated costs, benefits and risks along with operational data analysis and validation. CUTRIC has a client-focused service delivery model and the toolsets that CUTRIC offers are highly customizable to suit the client’s needs and specifications.
CONSULTING
Transit Decarbonization &
Fleet Electrification


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Frequently Asked Questions
Transit electrification is a complex process and can be challenging without proper planning. Engaging CUTRIC to understand your transit agency’s needs and goals is a great first step.
CUTRIC was commissioned by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to develop a process map with ten essential steps for zero-emission bus implementation planning. The plan walks you through a step by step guide, starting with strategic analysis, followed by feasibility analysis, cost analysis, benefit analysis, risk analysis, need analysis, demonstration trial, procurement and empirical data analytics. Further details on the process map can be found here.
Predictive performance modelling using RoutetΣ.i™ 3.0 or RoutΣ.i™ Lite can help you understand the suitability of various Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) technologies specific to your respective transit systems. CUTRIC’s modelling tools enable a transit agency to understand the ease of decarbonization of various blocks/routes, cost savings, GHG emission reductions and many more important variables.
High temperature amplitudes can lead to an increased battery energy consumption rendering specific blocks/routes unsuccessful in electrification with a 1-to-1 replacement ratio of conventional buses. RoutΣ.i™ 3.0 and RoutΣ.i™ Lite predictive performance modelling consider a spectrum of best to worst case scenarios to help a transit agency understand the operational patterns under various energy intensive situations.
The frequency of starting and stopping as well as the topographical conditions have a direct impact on the energy consumption of the vehicles. CUTRIC relies on a detailed Geographical Information System (GIS) analysis to capture a variety of physical features. The elevation profile is captured along with all the traffic impediments such as stops signs, pedestrian crossings, speed limits and. RoutΣ.i™’s deep dive analysis is vital to ensure the most accurate simulation for each route/block in the system.
Calculating electric bus cost savings is not as simple as one might imagine. CUTRIC considers dynamic operational costs along with capital expenditure to engage in detailed return on investment (ROI) calculations for transit agencies. The RoutΣ.i™ 3.0 modelling tool can estimate the operational cost savings of electric buses in relation to conventional vehicles considering local and regional specific markets and regulations.
No single industrial activity is completely clean. Although electric buses do not have any tailpipe emissions, the production of the electricity or hydrogen fuel required to operate electric buses incurs the emission of GHGs. CUTRIC works with full life cycle assessments (LCA) of energy resources while calculating the GHG emission incurred by the production, transportation and operation of fossil fuels and energy/fuel for ZEBs. BEBs and FCEBs can be very clean when the electricity or hydrogen used comes from clean and renewable sources. For compressed natural gas (CNG) buses running with renewable natural gas (RNG), several methods of production of their fuel with different levels of carbon intensity exist. A precise answer to this question depends heavily on the local properties of the local power grid being considered.
The RNG acronym stands for Renewable Natural Gas. It is produced by the decomposition of organic matter in a biological process called anaerobic digestion. RNG is usually produced by using waste from landfills, agricultural residues and water treatment plants. The fuel can have a negative net carbon intensity because methane has an elevated potential for causing global warming. Thus, capturing methane that would otherwise be emitted to the atmosphere through other economic activities has a profound positive impact on the environment.
It would be wise for transit agencies to adopt a phased approach, beginning with decarbonizing the routes identified as optimal, establish a learning model, and ramp up the procurement and operation. Predictive performance modelling and rollout planning using RoutΣ.i™ 3.0 provides a transit agency with an electrification plan identifying the exact routes to begin with and a detailed step by step guide to reach full electrification.
Generally, it is not possible to fully electrify an entire transit system with a 1:1 replacement ratio in relation to conventional buses. Block re-design and schedule optimization could be instrumental in keeping the spare ratio low while achieving a high level of success. Predictive modelling and rollout planning using RoutΣ.i™ 3.0 can help transit agencies understand the block modifications that would be required.
Although the answer to this question is transit-system-specific, usually a good portion of blocks can be electrified without on-route chargers. A complementary solution such as on-route charging, hydrogen fuel cell electric buses or CNG buses running with RNG may be required to transition an entire system to zero emission buses. CUTRIC’s RoutΣ.i™ 3.0 tool has the capability of advising on the selection of the technology that may be more appropriate locally.