Customized Development of Golden Dragon 18-meter City Buses
2024-12-10 Source：www.chinabuses.org
Summarize：In recent years, the overseas market has emerged as a key growth driver for China& 39;s bus industry, with Golde
In recent years, the overseas market has emerged as a key growth driver for China's bus industry, with Golden Dragon Buses standing out among the competition. Notably, a recently developed 18-meter articulated bus tailored for the European market has been securing large orders, making it a star model in this niche segment.
On December 10, 2024, it was reported that at the Golden Dragon testing site in Zhangzhou, Fujian, R&D personnel were conducting a serpentine slalom test on this 18-meter articulated natural gas bus specially designed for overseas clients. It's worth noting that in the domestic market, 18-meter articulated buses are primarily used in BRT systems, operating on dedicated roads, with no mandatory standards for handling stability—only recommended guidelines. So, why is Golden Dragon investing resources in testing this model?
According to the head of Golden Dragon's overseas market operations, the operating routes and conditions for 18-meter buses in markets like Europe differ significantly from those in China. There are often no dedicated BRT lanes, road conditions vary widely, main urban roads are narrow, mixed traffic is common, and average speeds are higher. The handling stability of the vehicle directly impacts operational efficiency, safety, and passenger comfort. Therefore, Golden Dragon has added handling stability tests for this type of vehicle.
During testing, technicians collect parameters related to steering and body movement as the vehicle passes through cones at different speeds. This data is used to adjust the vehicle's weight distribution, winch, suspension, and front, middle, and rear stabilizer bars to ensure body and overall vehicle stability. Evaluation criteria and performance goals include enabling the driver to accurately control the vehicle's position and trajectory when navigating curves to ensure the safety of both the vehicle and other road users; maintaining body stability and safety during complex maneuvers such as emergency evasive actions or obstacle avoidance; and ensuring smooth and coordinated force transmission and steering response between the front and rear carriages for vehicle safety, reliability, and passenger comfort.
The winch, suspension, and front, middle, and rear stabilizer bars have all been specially tuned.
During the slalom test, Commercial Vehicle News also had the opportunity for a brief test drive and ride. When slalom testing at speeds of 30-40 km/h, the rear carriage followed well, with no significant side tilt or tail sway, and the overall handling stability was close to the test performance targets.
In terms of the powertrain, the gas engine is paired with an Allison 6-speed AT automatic transmission with a hydraulic retarder. This powertrain balances power, safety, driving comfort, and operational economy. With added weight inside the vehicle, the power response was swift, and the AT transmission shifted smoothly without the jerkiness caused by power interruption.
To ensure gas safety, several measures have been implemented: first, the gas cylinders are mounted on top to avoid risks from accidental impacts; second, the distance between the gas filling port and the vehicle's skirt has been increased to 230mm, providing ample buffer space in case of side collisions; third, high and low-pressure, as well as dynamic and static testing methods, are used to ensure the tightness of the piping on each vehicle; additionally, the bus is equipped with a gas leak alarm system to prevent potential hazards.
For this 18-meter model, designed for bus scenarios with high passenger volumes and frequent boarding and alighting, it adopts ZF front and rear axles, achieving a one-step floor height of 340mm above ground, and a fully flat low-floor design inside the vehicle, enhancing passenger convenience and the vehicle's carrying capacity. Furthermore, the second, third, and fourth doors are equipped with 1200mm-wide electric plug doors, which not only improve standing space at the doors but also significantly boost boarding and alighting efficiency during peak times.
The interior layout also reflects Golden Dragon's customization capabilities in meeting overseas clients' personalized needs. To enhance the riding experience, the vehicle is equipped with an onboard WIFI system, and all seats have USB charging ports. For special passengers, the vehicle is equipped with an auxiliary ramp for disabled passengers, making it easier for wheelchairs and strollers to board. In the seating area specially designed for the elderly, handrails and call buttons have been added to assist those with mobility issues when alighting. The seating and spatial layout in the first carriage have been optimized, reducing a row of seats on the left while increasing floor space for wheelchairs and strollers, significantly expanding the standing area for passengers during peak times.
Considering the long routes, complex road conditions, and high driver workload for these vehicles, the design of the driver's area focuses on enhancing driving comfort and safety. The driver's door features a magnetic latch for easier opening and closing; an air-cushioned seat with increased space between the seat and steering wheel has been adopted; the instrument panel and steering wheel are in a floating design, allowing drivers of different body types to adjust according to their driving habits; and intelligent features such as a driver fatigue monitoring system, lane departure warning system, 360-degree panoramic view system, and tire pressure monitoring system have been installed to enhance active safety. The electronic braking system with ASR function ensures braking safety while reducing the impact and jerkiness caused by frequent braking for passengers inside the vehicle.
From the above introduction, it is evident that this 18-meter bus model's success in the competitive European bus market is not only attributed to its traditional advantage of high cost-effectiveness but also to Golden Dragon's commitment to customized R&D. The transition from passively meeting customer needs to actively providing deeply customized products based on customers' operational scenarios is Golden Dragon's core competitiveness in the overseas market.
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