Green transportation is our future

[Cass]

As Congress works to address our nation’s transportation problems, it has a duty to rebuild our aging infrastructure for the 21st century. At the same time, Congress also has an opportunity to make our transportation networks more environmentally sustainable.

Surface transportation is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, but most Americans have only one option for their daily commutes - their car and gridlocked highways.

Lack of transportation choice is bad for the environment and it’s bad for our economy. Our nation’s heavily congested roads cost the United States more than $78 billion a year in lost time and wasted fuel. In Maryland, more than 10 percent of workers must travel more than an hour each way to reach their jobs, and commuting times across the nation continue to grow every year. At $2 per gallon or $4 per gallon the waste adds up quickly.

As we debate how to improve transportation and prevent global warming, there is one strategy that meets all of our goals:.... (http://www.communitytimes.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=67&twindow=Default&mad=No&sdetail=7010&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1049&hn=communitytimes&he=.com)

[bammer]

Recently I went to Tokyo and was amazed at the rail system there. The rapid transportation of Tokyo and Japan should be a guide for many coutries

[DianaR]

It would be helpful if a certain percentage of jobs at every company had to be telecommute positions.

Human Resource personnel, among others, should be working form home instead of commuting to work. They aren't involved in manufacturing, so they needn't be in a central facility.

[Cass]

I agree DianaR.

There is a real opportunity to transition work at the local level vs. needing to be there in person. The advancement of telecommunications and conferencing technologies such as WebEx and Live Meeting can all help alleviate the need to be there in person. Currently companies are reducing their travel budgets and I would imagine as they realize that they can do just fine to host that one hour meeting online vs traveling 1,000s of miles they may just structurally change for the long term.

[Merana]

A friend of mine lives in Finland, she says that many people use bicycles to get to work, which is highly encouraged by the government. Cities build more bicycle tracks and reduce the number of roads for cars.

[Ricardo]

I agree with the point about telecommuting. I think it's a trend that's starting to happen. I know of people who work from home in a "virtual office."

With the digital transmission possibilities available now, it's become much easier and more reliable.

I remember trying to download files on dial-up and getting bumped after half an hour into a download. :eek:

[zaviii]

For personal commutes around the city, motorized bicycles make pretty good sense. They get up to 150 miles per gallon and are EPA approved. They can be ridden just as a bicycle, or as pedal assisted motorized bike, or a motorized bike completely. This would cut down on some of that wasted fuel, reduce traffic and people could get some exercise by pedaling if they wanted. Here are some pictures and a video of these motorized bicycles.

www.savegasmoney17.com (http://www.savegasmoney17.com)

[Harry]

Transportation investment also will produce new jobs.Public transportation benefits every member of a community, not just those that ride a train or bus.

[sapna]

Now a days every one is trying to go green .There are still some people who are not aware of its products and its benefits . so it becomes the responsibility of government to bring awareness among people by advertising it.

[homebrewer]

I love to go to Japan one day. They have the best green things to show.

[Denny]

Hello,

I was searching for some new electric transport and I found one in the internet.
Have you heard something about RJK Ecological Car company?

RJK-velomobiles (http://rjk-europa.com/rjk.html)

and also on facebook:
Welcome to Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/RJK-Ecological-Car/168837399804330)

[runkaproducts]

The demand for energy is suspected to double in the next two decades yet the energy supply is gradually decreasing. So in this way only green transportation is becomimg the only way to save the environment as a premium renewable energy source. So it can be said that green transportation fuels are capable in replacing the current transportation fuels as the composition is nearly same and also it is safer and economically efficient.
Runka (http://www.runka.com/index.aspx)

[john12121]

Yes its true Green vehicles are future of trasportation..We need to work hard to use more domestic energy in our transportation and rely less on foreign oil..And for this Green transportation is very important..Many Manufacturers are offering "clean and green" vehicles today..

[Val]

Green transportation is very important, as is the amount of transportation being done. Besides all the green ways of travel, the population must be reduced to long term sustainable to decrease all demands on all resources and reduce pollution to what the biosphere can absorb. Go green AND reduce population to 1/10th of what it is now----ASAP!!!
http://www.cosmosmith.com/human_population_crisis.htm

[Val]

I like the E-bike;
STEALTH CRUISER HYBRID-ELECTRIC BICYCLE (EBIKE)
on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.m748&item=300578389648&viewitem=&_trkparms=clkid%3D1596544586017002218
Pedal or electric or hybrid, max speed is 20mph and 600Watt motor, so needs no licensing.

[Intersolarmall]

Same interesting things here in China: the Group buys are very hot and popular in China this year.Ge You (Chinese movie star) said that group buys contribute to a low carbon life and happiness at a news conference Tuesday in Beijing.

The Chinese movie star has a contract with Lashow.com and is currently promoting the group purchase website's "proposal for low carbon happiness".

Lashow.com CEO Wu Bo said they are devoting themselves to bringing about happiness at low expense.

Group buying activities consume less energy and resources, and generate less carbon dioxide emissions, the company said in its handout.

[Val]

We use our hybrid for traveling to work/school together. It shuts off at stops or below 41mph, going on electric only.
However, if we lived in town, and the weather was good, I would like this:
STEALTH CRUISER HYBRID-ELECTRIC BICYCLE (EBIKE) | eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.m748&item=300578389648&viewitem=&_trkparms=clkid%3D1596544586017002218)
If everyone traveled by hybrid and electric bike, or walked, it would reduce CO2---but not enough. Shipping and jet aircraft produce much more transportation CO2. If humanity is to keep from crossing the tipping point of methane self release, then total CO2 and other GHGs must be reduced 90%. Few jets should fly, and freighters should be driven by sail again. Diesel trucks and machinery should be biodiesel only. All power has to be non-CO2 emitting, and power plants produce the most. There can be no more slash and burn farming or rainforest cutting, for that produces more CO2 than transportation.
The whole thing is time constrained. We only have a decade to reduce HGHGs 90% or the tipping point will be breached and there is no human way to stop the self releases of methane from first the tundras, then the oceans, until heat goes up 25*F or more by 2300 to 2500. Much faster than organisms can adapt, for the most part. It is very serious, nothing less than an Extinction Level Event that could be prevented by humans and is caused by humans.

[martinhanzalek]

green transport is certainly the way of the future. Here in Newfoundland we just started an electric bike company, and with the cost of fuel and transport being so high here in st. john's, electric bikes and scooters have really taken off. It's amazing to see so many people taking to them
http://youtu.be/UdMc8JoO8rc


Martin Hanzalek (http://www.martinhanzalek.com)

[eco bunny]

Dublin Bikes supply 44 bike stations distributed throughout the city centre to enable easy access and optimal use. Located in close proximity to each other, every station has a minimum of 15 stands in situ making it easy to enjoy the dublinbikes service. It is a self-service bike rental system open to everyone from 14 years of age on 550 dbs (dublinbikes), it enables you to travel through the city centre, commute between home and work and get out and about to enjoy Dublin city at your leisure.

All stations are equipped for Long Term Hire Card and 3 Day Ticket users. 15 of the 44 terminals allow you to purchase a 3 Day Ticket. Once purchased, you can use the 3 Day Ticket similar to the Long Term Hire Card to rent or return a db from any station in the network.

You can enjoy the many benefits of a Long Term Hire Card for just €10. A 3 Day Ticket costs €2. The first 30 minutes of use is free on every db.