Society of Fire Protection Engineers
Engineering a Fire Safe World
Online Technical Session: April 9th, 2024 1:00 pm-2:00 pm EDT
OC TRANSPO BATTERY POWERED BUS SAFETY
Presenter: Richard Holder, City of Ottawa
ABSTRACT
The City of Ottawa and OC Transpo have a target to convert all public transit to zero-emission vehicles by 2036. The goal of the Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) program is to successfully electrify the 1500 St. Laurent site and procure 350 eBuses for OC Transpo’s fleet by 2027. A critical consideration for the ZEB Program is to ensure the safety of our passengers and staff while developing an efficient and productive work site to meet the City’s transit needs. We have approached this challenge by consulting with industry experts, implementing control methods above minimum requirements, upgrading existing facilities and building new facilities to operate our fleet. The presentation will show our safety control hierarchy, consultation members, eBus design and control systems, escalation strategy, and facility upgrades showcasing how a safety first mindset has driven our programs direction.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Richard Holder is a seasoned City Builder with a history of successfully delivering large and complex infrastructure projects through P3-DBFM, DB and EPC. Projects include light rail, bus transit, zero-emission buses, highways and bridges, water supply transmission mains, water and wastewater facilities; all with critical customer/user supply needs. 20 yrs with City, 11 yrs in senior positions. Currently he is the Director responsible for LRT oversight, conventional bus technical support, and delivery of $1B zero-emission bus transition. Previous experience on Stage 1 and 2 of the Ottawa Light Rail Project included Chairing the Safety & Security Certification Review Committee and the Fire and Life Safety Committee.
Born in the UK with time spent living and working in Zambia, Mozambique and Indonesia, he has 2 grown children and loves being on the rivers, lakes and trails of the Gatineau Hills and around the world.
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