West Virginia University's Alternative Fuel Vehicle Training Program
The Alternate Fuel Vehicle Training Program (AFVTP) Newsletter is a monthly feature of the AFVTP and is intended to be keep the lines of communication open between our training team, students, advisors and other interested parties. Many of you receiving the newsletter this month are new to our roles and we hope that you find it useful. As such, a short introduction to the AFVTP is appropriate. Please contact the program if you have questions.
The AFVTP was formed in response to U.S. EPA's commitment to develop national infrastructure to support future vehicle types. Specifically, WVU was contracted to develop a nationally recognized alternative fueled vehicle Train-the-Trainer program for automotive technologists. Our target audience and clients are automotive trainers at Vo-Tech schools and community colleges, fleet managers, OEM trainers, utility relations personnel, and private training industries.
Products include training seminars and special courses, training manuals, teaching aids, and in-service support. Natural gas vehicles was emphasized in the initial training manuals, but other fuel types will be encompassed in separate training modules to help promote the fuel neutrality of our sponsor.
Our training team and researchers are currently working on additional modules to add to our training repertoire. A module about propane fueling is expected in the next few months. Based upon the same format as our CNG training, this will have appeal to those areas of the country where LPG is a viable alternative fuel.
Other modules under development and refinement include electronic diagnostics and storage/fueling systems. This is not the extent of our team's expertise though, and you should call us with any AFV or emissions questions.
Students, of course, see what topics that have not yet grasped. The instructor, taking all of the students tests, can identify areas where the course may be deficient or not presented clearly.
Do not use testing as a "Gotcha", let the students know the purpose and importance of testing. Student trepidation over challenging tests should not be because of the format of the test but about the scope and difficulty of the topic. Reinforce the concept of the student challenging himself/herself and not competing with classmates. This is equally applicable for written and performance based shop testing.
This server currently has pages to assist our clients and trainers in the following areas:
Mosaic is quickly becoming the most popular way to share on-line information and we expect it use to grow. You can bring the Mosaic program to your computer by ftping to ftp.ncsa.uiuc.edu and downloading the appropriate files. Please email the editor if you have questions about this procedure.
Located minutes from downtown Morgantown, W. Va. the new AFVTP Training Center (yet to be officially named) has been created from the remains of a vacated car dealership. Completely renovated, the space now sports a modern classroom, demonstration lab, reception and office space and 7 bay garage. The AFVTP shares the Center with Automotive Research Technologies (ART) - an NG System installer and manufacturing company based here in northern West Virginia. (To our knowledge ART President Jody Stirewalt is converting the first motorcycle to run on CNG.)
Several of the most popular NG systems are on display in our demonstration lab for students to investigate, take apart and discuss. These displays are continuously being updated and added to in order to keep up with this fast changing industry. Many thanks to DAI and MESA who have recently supplied systems that will soon be on display. The training bays in our garage are used to give attendees hands-on experience with NG systems and teaching methods. Two lifts, engine analyzers and adequate tools allow students to fully investigate the systems that they will be teaching others about upon returning home.
We are very excited about new equipment that will soon be placed in the Training Center. A new repair grade I/M 240 chassis dynamometer and emissions monitoring system will augment our existing equipment. With this, students will see the effects of NG use on emissions to assure themselves of proper installation. WVU is also working on placing a complete medium-duty chassis dyno system to supplement this RG 240 and our Heavy-Duty Transportable Labs (read more about this in a future newsletter).
In addition to our physical spaces, the AFVTP makes available training manuals, videos, handouts, overheads, and tests needed to help trainers construct their own courses. In-service training and follow-up information help the trainers as well.