"We think the tram offers the ability to move them (students) faster," said Joe Whitefield, director of the Center for Energy Efficiency. "We're trying to improve moving students around campus."

The demonstration, beginning at 10 a.m., will consist of the upper portion of the tram running along the Old Main Circle as staff members observe its performance. The trailer, which attaches to the back of the bus unit for passengers, will not be included.

The tram's front car will accommodate 16 people, and the attached trailer will transport 24 additional passengers.

MTSU's flat terrain makes it ideal for the use of this electrically powered vehicle. With its battery powered design, the tram gives off almost no emissions, and its smaller, open design allows passengers to load and unload more quickly.

"Its physical size will allow us to take advantage of other roadways, not just the main roads," Whitefield said. "So, if we can develop some alternate routes and get the tram out of traffic, it will be faster to get from point to point without sitting in traffic like the buses do."

With a charged battery, the bus has a 75-mile range of operation, which could be a disadvantage due to recharging needs. Reverting to the use of an electric tram would require diesel buses used in the university's current transportation system to run to Greek Row and other areas requiring access to off-campus roadways.

The electric tram is also an "open air" vehicle, meaning that it could pose a disadvantage during times of extreme cold and rain.

"If it's raining, that's a disadvantage because of the 'open air' configuration," Whitefield said. "So, we would likely have to park it and use the bus."

While the Center for Energy Efficiency usually focuses on improvements in buildings and facilities, they have teamed up with parking services on this project to improve both the traffic flow on campus and the efficiency and emissions of the transportation system.

"We have looked primarily at alternative fuel vehicles. We've looked, for instance, at electric buses and hybrid buses, compressed natural gas buses, propane buses and electric buses," Whitefield said.

"Trams, since they are not of the same configuration as a bus are more or less the same cost as the diesel buses ... that's what makes this the most promising of all the options," he said.