National Center for Sustainable Transportation

The Fuel and Emissions Calculator (FEC) is an operating-mode-based, life-cycle emissions modeling tool developed by the Georgia Institute of Technology researchers. The primary purpose of the FEC is to assist fleet owners and managers, regulatory agencies, and policy analysts in assessing the energy and emissions impacts of fleet alternatives. The FEC’s modeling approach estimates emissions as a function of engine load, which in turn is a function of vehicle service parameters, allowing modelers to account for local on-road operating mode conditions as model inputs. The functional modules are embedded in an Excel spreadsheet platform for all current model versions. The open platform allows users to see all input data and every calculation, which makes the model transparent and accessible for most users. With Version 2.0 of the model, an online Python version of the model has also been developed. The Python version enhances model performance, and provides functionality for advanced users who may wish to link the FEC with other modeling tools, such as travel demand or simulation models. The first Fuel and Emissions Calculator (Version 1.0), known as ‘FEC for transit fleets,’ was originally developed by Georgia Tech researchers in 2013-2014 for transit bus, shuttle bus and rail systems (ORNL and Georgia Tech, 2014). This report first summarizes the FEC Version 2.0 model’s main features. The generic methodology that is applied to all transportation modes is introduced in Chapter 2, which includes modules for scenario setting, energy consumption, onroad emission rates, life-cycle assessment, and cost-effectiveness. The model specifications for individual transportation modes are introduced in Chapter 3, and case study examples are provided to help users prepare customized analysis for their own fleets. The key considerations for establishing the online FEC are discussed in Chapter 4. Current research achievements and ongoing work to update and improve the FEC are provided in the final Chapter.

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