Welcome to Green Transportation .info

Table of Contents

We're experiencing the greatest transformation in the transportation system since the early 1900's when gasoline powered cars triumphed over electric. Lithium battery chemistries have enabled electrified transportation to finally catch up with gasoline, giving designers more vehicle design options. At the same time concerns about the environment, health effects of burning fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions, energy security, oil supply, peak oil, land use, resource utilization and more are forcing us to reconsider the design of the transportation system.

Green?

What is 'Green' Transportation?

Sustainability: No pollution? Minimizing effects?
How: Changing the drive train? Changing fuel types? Changing vehicle types? Wiser vehicle use? Mass transit?
Why: Global warming, environmental damage, Health damage, land use

Effects of the current system

Benefits: economic fluidity, rapid transportation, individual freedom
Environmental degradation
Health diminishment
Global warming
Loss of open space
Use of nonrenewable resources

Why change the transportation system?

Environmental threats forcing transportation system changes (TBD)
Health effects forcing transportation system changes (TBD)
Climate effects forcing transportation system changes (TBD)
etc

Changing the transportation normalthink

Well/Mine to Wheel to Air/Ground/Water

Analyzing effects from well to wheel to air (the long tailpipe)

Land use impacts of the transportation system

Mining / Drilling
Transporting fuel, before refining, after refining
Refining fuels for use
Effects along each step
Effects on air, ground or water from fuel use
Health effects of pollutants
Effects at point of use: Tailpipe emissions, noise pollution, fuel leaks, A/C systems leaks, Vehicle efficiency, Tires, brakes, Runoff from roads, Traffic accident deaths, Tension from Driving

Fuel types