CERTIFICATIONASE Launches Transit Bus SeriesLEESBURG, VA - The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) recently announced the creation of a new test series for the transit bus industry. The Transit Bus Testing and Certification Series will debut during the May 2006 test administration with its first two tests: Transit Bus Brakes (H4) and Transit Bus Electrical and Electronic Systems (H6). Additional exams are planned.
"Bus technology has advanced more in the past decade than in the previous three decades," says Ronald H. Weiner, ASE president. "The outside of the bus may resemble its ancestor, but the inside has completely changed. Dramatic changes in the scope of work of a bus technician have evolved as well. We are pleased to be able to offer a credential for these hard-working public transportation technicians," he added.
There has been growing interest among transit properties across the nation in developing a certification credential specifically for the transit bus technician. The initial development of the ASE Transit Bus Certification test series has been funded through the Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP). The TCRP is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration; administered by the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies; and governed by the Transit Development Corporation, which is the research arm of the American Public Transportation Association.
As with all ASE certification exams, subject matter experts from the public transportation field have been assembled to develop the task lists and test questions for this new series. To become ASE certified in this new test category, technicians must have two years' of hands-on work experience and pass the written exam. Upon satisfying these requirements, certification is granted for a period of five years.
The following are the test specifications for the new exams:
Brakes H4 - Designed to test a candidate's knowledge of the skills necessary to diagnose and repair transit bus air brakes and related systems. Air system, foundation brakes, parking brakes, and wheel bearings will be covered. Antilock Brakes (ABS), automatic traction control (ATC), and various system interlocks that affect brake operation will also be included. Content areas include:
* Air supply and service systems diagnosis and repair.
* Mechanical/foundation brakes diagnosis and repair.
* Parking brakes diagnosis and repair.
* Wheel bearings diagnosis and repair.
Electrical/Electronic Systems Test H6 - Designed to test a candidate's knowledge of the skills necessary to diagnose and repair transit bus electrical/electronic systems and components. General electrical, battery, starting, charging, and lighting systems and gauges will be covered. The use of schematics, ladder logic, and electronic equipment to solve problems in electrical/electronic and multiplex circuits will also be included. Content areas include:
* General electrical diagnosis.
*Battery diagnosis and repair.
* Starting systems diagnosis and repair.
* Charging systems diagnosis and repair.
* Lighting systems diagnosis and repair.
* Gauges/warning devices diagnosis and repair.
* Related systems.
Typically the tests will contain approximately 50 to 60 multiple-choice scored questions. For the first test administration, the tests will be double in length to pretest questions for statistical purposes.
To assist transit bus technicians in successfully completing these new tests, the transit industry through the American Public Transportation Association and others, is pursuing the development of a variety of training opportunities. More information will be provided by the appropriate organizations as these opportunities are developed.
(Source: ASE)
