DOST to test hybrid road train in Clark

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2015/06/24/dost-test-hybrid-road-train-clark-415033
• Wednesday, June 24, 2015

(Sun.Star Pampanga)

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Department of Science and Technology's (DOST) Hybrid Electric Road Train will conduct a performance testing of five-coach centrally powered hybrid electric road train for local application on Thursday (June 25) at the Parade Ground inside this Freeport.

The demo of the hybrid coach is to test roadworthiness of a Filipino-made transportation project which is part of the DOST's commitment to support the productivity and global competitiveness of the metals, engineering and allied industries.

The performance test is being conducted before rolling out the Filipino-made project in Metro Manila's major highways.

Designed by Filipino engineers and made with locally available parts, the 40-meter long train-like bus is an alternative means of transportation and one of DOST's answer to the mass transportation dilemma in metro roads.

This demonstration of the hybrid electric road train phase 2 is most suitable in Clark because of the exceptional road network we have here in this Freeport.

Clark Development Corporation President Arthur Tugade said that the government-run firm is grateful for choosing Parade Ground inside Freeport Zone for the Demo Ride and the launching of the very first Filipino-made hybrid Electric road train.

The CDC is in full support of the DOST endeavor and its research work in trying to solve the land transportation dilemma of the Philippines, especially the horrific traffic problems in Greater Manila.

This Filipino-made hybrid Electric road train could be a solution to the growing traffic problem in major cities in the country.

According to the DOST report, the road train is composed of five interconnected fully air-conditioned coaches, four of which can accommodate 60 passengers each for a total of 240 commuters per ride. The last one is the power coach.

Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo estimates that the road train can serve 650,000 commuters when fully implemented.

"This will happen after its testing phase, which will take two to three years," he said earlier.

Launched on August 22 last year, the road train can run with a maximum speed of 50kph. It is mainly powered by hybrid diesel fuel and electric-powered battery. Moreover, the train is designed to be energy-efficient, which means it does not need electricity and suspended cables to operate, the DOST report said.

This newest Filipino innovation also produces less smoke emission compared with existing mass transport vehicles, making it an eco-friendly mode of transport.

"CDC is a major contributor to many of (DOST) achievements in testing phase on the hybrid road train project," Assistant Secretary Robert Dizon, officer in charge of the Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC) of DOST, said.

"With your unfailing support (referring to CDC), the timely accomplishment of planned targets were realized," Dizon said.

Dizon said the event in Clark will serve as the hybrid road train’s soft launching as well as a prelude for the upcoming 2015 National Science and Technology Week (NTSW) to be held on July this year.