ABC and Van Hool Deliver a Cleaner Ridership Experience on New Van Hool TDX Prototype

ABC Companies President and Chief Commercial Officer Roman Cornell Faribault, Minn. — ABC Companies and Van Hool have unveiled a custom clean-air solution to improve interior cabin air-quality on a prototype Van Hool TDX high-capacity, double-deck coach. Thanks to a new custom-built HEPA filtration system developed through a collaboration between the two companies, Northern California commuters can experience filtered clean air on the 45’ motorcoach.

“Our advanced Van Hool TDX model meets and exceeds EPA 16, GHG 17 emission standards for commercial vehicles, so integrating new technology that can further enhance the passenger environment is exciting for our team,” stated ABC Companies President and Chief Commercial Officer Roman Cornell. “Involving customers in the process from inception, including the design phase, is critical to developing successful and innovative new offerings that meet their needs and strengthen our relationships. While indoor air quality is important for the operation of any business, bringing HEPA filtration technology to a mobile environment is the next step for passenger comfort,” he added.

On both sides of the Atlantic, ABC and Van Hool pooled their expertise and resources to source and build a customized system that utilizes cutting-edge HEPA filtration technology. Together with the Van Hool engineering team, the ABC technical department worked closely to specify and fabricate a working prototype to be utilized within their NorCal-based customers’ employee-shuttle fleet operation.

“Confined space and weight limitations were key challenges to product development, mandating a compact design that ultimately located the new HEPA system under-floor in a small portion of the baggage bay area, without compromising existing passenger cabin dimensions,” said Brian Nelson, engineering manager at ABC’s Winter Garden, Fla., facility.

The HEPA filtration unit is equipped with a HEPA filter, two pre-filters and two evaporator blowers that draw outside air through the filters which is then transferred to the TDX lower deck A/C unit where it is circulated throughout the interior of the coach. The new system is designed to offer a significant reduction in particle counts down to the smallest concentration with results being achieved within 20 minutes of operation. Conclusive testing revealed dramatically decreased dust in the interior cabin.

“The new HEPA filtration system is designed to provide numerous benefits in terms of both air quality and equipment performance,” noted Nelson, “specifically in static or heavily congested road conditions where traffic emissions from older vehicles are prevalent and can permeate the passenger cabin”, he says.

In terms of maintenance and equipment performance, Van Hool Engineering Bus and Coach HVAC Specialist Tom Van Lokeren said that HEPA filtration technology can contribute to optimal equipment performance, by helping to maintain a cleaner coil, so that other components like fans, and filters can operate at nominal conditions as designed and potentially extend the service life of HVAC components.

“ABC and Van Hool are focused on transforming great ideas into innovative solutions”, said ABC Companies CEO Dane Cornell. “We are excited to be at the forefront of shaping commercial applications that can lead to substantive change for our customers and our industry”.

Visit abc-companies.com for more information.

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