Telescoping Bike Rack for a Public Bus

Prepared and Presented by Morgan DeLuca

Project Overview

Rochester is pushing to become a more bike friendly city

There are issues arising with ‘last-mile’ transit

Benefits include reduce congestion, lower cost, increase in public health and less pollution

Project Description

Goal: Modify current bike rack to increase carrying capacity of bicycles

To reduce space when not in use, it will fold up, against the bus

When needed, it will be folded down by the user

After folding down, it can be unlocked by the user and extended in order to have more room for storing bikes

After a bike is removed, it can be contracted to reduce the length

Customer Needs

Importance Description

1 Easy to use for first time user1 Quick loading and unloading of bicycles1 Safe for user and bystanders1 Takes up small amount of space1 Does not impact the driver’s vision or safety of the bus2 Easy to lower and lift rack1 Secures bikes1 Does not damage personal property1 Weather Resistant1 Fit multiple bikes2 Ergonomic; Must be easy for user to handle1 Ability to handle vibrations present during average bus

route2 Low Cost3 Easy to disconnect from bus

Major Specifications

Length of Rack when fully extended = 40-52 in

Minimum Number of Bikes = 4 Minimum Carry Weight (static) = 415

lbTime to unload/load bike for first time

user = 30-60s

MSD Team

2 ME and 2 ISE would make up the team.

ME Responsibilities Structural Analysis, CAD model, fatigue

and vibration analysis ISE Responsibilities

Ergonomics, usability and human interface, Optimization of loading/unloading process to minimize time

Budget

A total budget of $700 was given Tubing makes up a majority of the

cost, approximately $500. Welded, 304SS of various diameters were used to make this estimate.

Other items needed would be a bracket assembly to attach the rack to the bus, welding materials, and the bicycling securing method