A red University of Alabama Crimson Ride bus marked "Roll Forward" parked at a campus stop under a clear blue sky.

ROLL FORWARD

Advancing Sustainable Transportation

The University of Alabama is combining applied research & development, connected vehicles, and grid integration to advance sustainable transit technology.

Roll Forward

The Battery Electric Transit Bus project uses Crimson Ride campus operations as a testbed for energy and transit technologies. By integrating electric buses, solar power, V2G services, and connected infrastructure, the initiative connects applied research and industrial solutions to build smarter infrastructure systems.

$10 Million Federally funded grant

20% Fleet electrification

Infrastructure & Workforce Development

High-Capacity Charging Hubs

Deployment includes specialized charging infrastructure and onboard sensor systems. These hubs support daily operations while serving as active grid research nodes.

Shelton State Partnership

UA is collaborating with Shelton State Community College to build workforce training programs, preparing next-generation technicians to service and maintain EV fleets.

Designing the Drive

The full bus wrap design and Roll Forward concept was developed by Jake O'Reilly, a graduate of The University of Alabama Minerva creative advertising program. The distinctive wave design combined with signature UA design elements marries momentum and innovation with tradition and excellence.

Core Research Focus Areas

Real-World Telemetry

Equipped with New Flyer support, data loggers capture CAN-Bus signals monitoring battery current, voltage, temperature, and geospatial telemetry across active transit routes.

A University of Alabama engineering researcher gestures toward shelves of computing and diagnostic hardware inside an open equipment cabinet on a transit bus as two colleagues in matching polos look on.

Connected Vehicle (C-V2X)

Deploying Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything radios on buses and traffic signals to study smart routing, traffic signal phasing, and range-extending transit strategies. This leads to improvements in transit time and lowers energy consumption.

Six members of the UA research team stand at the back of a red bus lettered

V2G & Solar Integration

Multi-disciplinary UA research team with expertise in C-V2X, systems-integration, battery chemistries and systems, and grid management work together to use campus solar arrays and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology to store excess solar energy and feed power back to the campus grid during peak demand.

Close-up of a red bus's windows with

Campus as a Living Laboratory

Rather than testing in isolated environments, UA utilizes daily Crimson Ride, charging schedules, and active solar generation as an ongoing operational testbed.

This collaborative approach bridges Crimson Ride Transit Services, Grid Operations, and research at the Center for Advanced Vehicle Technologies of the Styslinger College of Engineering, with plans to expand research partnerships into campus facilities, water management, and infrastructure systems.

Campus & Regional Impact

Cleaner, Quieter Campus

Eliminating tailpipe emissions and significantly reducing operational noise creates a healthier, quieter environment for students, faculty, and visitors.

The web address ua.edu/rollforward on the striped red side panel of a bus.

Long-Term Efficiency

While initial capital costs are higher, electric buses deliver lower long-term operating and maintenance costs compared to traditional diesel models.

UA College of Engineering faculty, staff and transit partners stand in front of a red bus for a group portrait.

West Alabama Mobility

Lays the groundwork for expanded transit routes and service coverage across Tuscaloosa, serving as a regional model for municipal fleet electrification.

The side of a red University of Alabama bus, campus buildings reflected in its windows.

Looking Ahead

Fleet Rollout & Future Expansion

The first eight electric buses will join the Crimson Ride fleet in 2026 alongside installed charging hubs and sensor telemetry. With future grants and continued investment, The University of Alabama plans to systematically expand the fleet, cementing its leadership in sustainable campus mobility.

A UA engineering researcher smiles from the driver's seat of the bus.

This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, under award numbers AL-2024-014-00 and AL-2024-001-00.