Methanol offers much promise as an alternative fuel whose combustion produces no sulfates and fewer nitrogen oxides and particulatesthan diesel fuel. Another advantage is that large quantities could be manufactured from domestic coal supplies. On the basis of the assumption that an extensive methanol program might well begin with public transit, the costs and benefits of converting the bus fleets of california's south coast air basin to methanol are estimated. Benefits are based on the reduced mortality attributable to lower sulfatesand particulates; costs encompass both bus conversion and replacement. When these benefits are compared with costs over a wide range ofmethanol prices, conversion to methanol is found to merit further consideration as an antipollution strategy. It is proposed that the analysis be extended to additional potential benefits and costs and to other locales and types of vehicles. This paper appeared in transportation research record no. 1155, transportation energy. For covering abstract see irrd no 818421.
Samenvatting