Livermore, CA

LAVTA Zero-Emission Bus Fleet Transition

Client: Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA)
Our Role: Technical Lead

An exterior view of a municipal bus maintenance garage. A hydrogen-fueled bus is in front of two garage doors.

In December 2018, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) finalized its Innovative Clean Transit (ICT) regulation, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at supporting the state’s efforts to meet health-based air quality standards, addressing community needs, and fighting climate change. In coordination with the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Zero-Emission Fleet Transition Goals, the rule requires public transit agencies to transition to a zero-emission bus fleet by 2040.

The Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA) is preparing to implement the transit agency’s ICT transition plan, which charts the course for a 100% zero-emission bus fleet by 2034. In addition, the Tri-Valley population is expected to increase by 50% by 2040, and LAVTA expects to increase service proportionately. Therefore, LAVTA plans to expand from a single facility to prioritize the storage, maintenance, and charging infrastructure to meet the increased load of zero-emissions vehicles.

First, GFT completed the design to retrofit two maintenance bays to support a hydrogen fleet at the existing Rutan Maintenance Facility. These bays will bridge the gap between procuring a fuel-cell electric bus fleet beginning in 2025 and constructing its new Atlantis maintenance facility. Our responsibilities included management oversight, site assessment, cost estimation, electrical distribution system design, fire pump and sprinkler upgrades, plan check and permit assistance, and construction support. To maintain consistent bus operations, we created a detailed phasing plan to maintain bus service during project execution.

Rutan Maintenance Facility
The team tackled a comprehensive bus facility modernization, HVAC, fire suppression, electrical, and building enclosure improvements to support the fleet of hydrogen fuel cell buses. GFT was the technical lead for developing the associated battery electric bus upgrades and zero-emission technologies, which included replacing the roll-up door motor and fire protection and sprinkler design upgrades to meet the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 2 requirements.
GFT provided a foundation for a sustainable public transit system by addressing the hydrogen fuel cell technology integration challenge within LAVTA’s existing maintenance facilities. The meticulous planning, adherence to safety standards, and effective collaboration paved the way for a 100% zero-emission bus fleet, supporting climate goals. This project modernized the Rutan Maintenance Facility and set a benchmark for other transit agencies embarking on zero-emission transportation journeys.
The primary challenges were resolving the inadequate hydrant flow test results, verifying the life safety load increase to support the proposed hydrogen detection system, and upgrading the exhaust fans. Based on the hydrant flow test results and hydraulic calculations, the team added additional sprinklers within the repair garage and integrated the existing fire pump and pressure maintenance pump into the fire alarm system.
The team developed new rooftop hydrogen ventilation exhaust fans and calculated the exhaust airflow. The fans interlock with the hydrogen detection system and the existing roll-up door motors. The hydrogen detection system included fixed zone detectors, zone control panels, and a central control panel. If the detector senses increased gas levels, the hydrogen gas controls sound an alarm, trigger an exhaust fan, and open all roll-up doors.

Key Features

Complete HVAC, fire suppression, electrical, and building enclosure design services across all bus facilities.
New rooftop hydrogen ventilation exhaust air fans.
Interlocking fans with the hydrogen detection system and existing roll-up door motors.
Hydrogen detection system with fixed zone detectors, zone control panels, and a central control panel.
Alarms, exhaust fans, and roll-up doors are activated upon hydrogen gas detection.
Fire protection and sprinkler design upgrades that comply with NFPA 2 requirements.
Integrating existing fire and pressure-maintenance pumps into the fire alarm system.

Outcomes

Complies with NFPA 2, NFPA 13, and NFPA 20 for hydrogen fuel systems, providing a high level of safety.
Reduces long-term greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution as hybrid buses and zero-emission buses are added to the fleet.