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Who Owns Our Roads? They do.
We take for granted that an American highway is "owned" by the taxpayers, but this is incorrect. That road might be owned by Spain!
This story tells of the legal privitization of the infrastructure. This is just a bad bad idea. Issues of access, maintanence and quality control are no longer decided by the users, but by a foreign interest who is only interested in profit. When profit is the only motive, things get dangerous. We take for granted that an American highway is "owned" by the taxpayers, but this is incorrect. That road might be owned by Spain! ... more -
Fuel from Trash? I'm down....
Ok, seriously, this is a good idea. We can at least put more of our wasteful society to good use.
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China set to unveil high-speed train for Games
China - With its swivel seats, spacious, plush interiors and the largest railway station in Asia, China has high hopes for a new express link from Beijing to nearby Tianjin, the fastest rail service on the planet.
The railway will open next Friday, in time for next month's Beijing Olympics, and will shuttle people to soccer events in Tianjin, one of the Games' co-host cities.
It will chop one hour off the current rail journey, reducing it to a 30-minute hop, taking passengers at a top speed of 220 mph on special sleek trains with interiors that look more like aircraft cabins.
Reporters were given a sneak preview of the ultra-modern trains on a government-organized trip on Tuesday, zipping through the lush countryside past massive housing developments and deserted highways.
"This is a revolution in terms of ramping up the speed of Chinese railways," Railway Ministry spokesman Wang Yongping told reporters at the cavernous new Beijing South railway station, which he said was the largest in Asia.
Trains can run on the $2.93 billion new Tianjin line every three minutes, and each train can carry around 600 people between landlocked Beijing and its port city neighbor. China - With its swivel seats, spacious, plush interiors and the largest railway station in Asia, China has high hopes for a new expre... more -
Beijing car ban causes subway chaos
The roads in Beijing became less congested but the subways reported a little chaos with signal failures and suspension caused by a woman's probable suicide attempt on Monday, the first working day since the city imposed controls to halve the number of cars on the roads for the Olympic Games.
The city's No. 1 subway line was forced to suspend for 19 minutes after a woman jumped from a platform onto the tracks at about 4:35 p.m. before the afternoon rush hour.
Subway Line 2, another heavily used line, reported a failure at around 8:20 a.m. during the morning travel peak when trains were halted in the tunnel for more than 10 minutes.
Some entrances to the major Jianguomen transfer station were closed.
A subway official denied a Reuters report that quoted a subway worker at the Fuxingmen station as saying the line was closed for "safety reasons" as "there is a big crush of passengers."
About two million vehicles are forced off the roads in a scheme that allows private vehicles to be used on alternate days, according to whether their license plates correspond to the odd or even numbered days of the month. The rules, effective from July 20 to Sept. 20, are intended to free up traffic and cut emissions in the city of 3.29 million vehicles.
The restrictions, however, are expected to force an extra 4 million people on to public transport such as buses and subways every day, said the city government. The roads in Beijing became less congested but the subways reported a little chaos with signal failures and suspension caused by a wom... more -
Food Firms Pledge to Cut Mileage
LONDON, UK -- Companies behind some of the biggest brands on U.K. supermarket shelves have pledged to slash the environmental impact of transporting their goods.
About 40 food and drink companies have signed up to the Food and Drink Federation's (FDF) Environmental Checklist and Clause for Greener Food Transport.
The companies, which include Cadbury Schweppes, Weetabix Ltd and Premier Foods -- the company behind Hovis bread and Branston pickle -- committed to using a 10-point checklist to reduce the number and impact of food miles.
Maximizing vehicle loading, reducing the amount of journeys made without any freight, and using rail and shipping instead of road freight are among the recommendations on the checklist.
The FDF said it will help companies contribute to an industry target to reduce the environmental impact of domestic food transport by 20 percent by 2012, compared to 2002 levels.
Iain Ferguson, FDF president, said: "The companies who have signed up to the Checklist and Clause are the first of what we hope will be many more signatories to this commitment to achieving fewer and friendlier transport miles."
"Protecting the environment and developing sustainable transport systems, especially where distribution is concerned, are very topical issues and especially important for us at the Department for Transport," said Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick. LONDON, UK -- Companies behind some of the biggest brands on U.K. supermarket shelves have pledged to slash the environmental impact o... more -
Manhattan High Line
Plans for The High Line, an elevated railroad spur stretching 1.45 miles along Manhattan’s Westside, is inspired by the melancholic, unruly beauty of the ruin today where nature has reclaimed a once vital piece of urban infrastructure, The team retools this industrial conveyance into a postindustrial instrument of leisure reflection about the very categories of “nature” and “culture” in our time. Plans for The High Line, an elevated railroad spur stretching 1.45 miles along Manhattan’s Westside, is inspired by the melancholic, u... more
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More golf carts leaving greens
"I'm saving money and wear and tear on my car," said Fisher, 82, whose cart is tricked out with seat belts, a boombox, flashing hazard light and wheel-rim spinners. A USA TODAY review found that in the past year, as gas prices surged past $4 a gallon, dozens of communities, — including Danforth, Ill.; Pulaski, Va.; Conover, N.C.; Osseo, Minn.; and Loveland, Colo. — have passed or debated ordinances to allow golf carts on local streets.
"I'm saving money and wear and tear on my car," said Fisher, 82, whose cart is tricked out with seat belts, a boombox, flashing hazard... more -
SSC 'Going Green' In New SuperCar Development
Shrouded in mystery and secrecy, SSC has announced plans to unveil the next historical milestone – the Ultimate Aero EV (Electric Vehicle), the first 100% Green Supercar to achieve speeds never before seen. Engineering details are yet undisclosed while development continues at an uninterrupted pace. Despite months of speculation, SSC expects to roll out its first prototype in February 2009.
"I think we can do it faster, leaner and cleaner than any other manufacturer" says Jerod Shelby, SSC Founder.
Unlike other manufacturers' models slated for delivery in the next decade, Shelby's latest brainchild expects to be delivered as early as fourth quarter 2009. Other automakers have sacrificed aesthetics and performance in exchange for hybrid power plants, but the Ultimate Aero EV will deliver a pollution-free, engineering marvel with an exotic Supercar exterior. The drive train under development will feature a revolutionary power source allowing for extended time between charging intervals with the possibility of several years between charging. Powered by a 500 horsepower electric motor, the Ultimate Aero EV will have true supercar performance. Additionally, SSC is exploring the potential of a twin 500 horsepower electric power plant producing 1,000 horsepower in a 2 or 4 wheel drive configuration.
Shrouded in mystery and secrecy, SSC has announced plans to unveil the next historical milestone – the Ultimate Aero EV (Electric Vehi... more -
Spain-Africa tunnel decision 'near'
Spain says a feasibility study for an undersea tunnel to connect Spain and Morocco is in the final stages.
If the project goes ahead and construction begins, trains carrying both passengers and goods are expected to start using the tunnel in 2025.
The tunnel would be 40km long and pass 300m under the Mediterranean Sea.
The undersea link would unite North Africa and Europe for the first time since the continents separated more than 200 million years ago.
Swiss engineers are finalising a feasibility study that will However, Angel Aparicio, president of the Spanish government agency co-ordinating the project says building the tunnel presents difficulties that may not be possible to overcome.
"The material here is not compact enough to allow an initial excavation.
"It is clay with rock and so it is not as compact as it is in the rest. As we have a lot of water we have a very high pressure and we are not sure whether we could go through with the tunnelling," he said.
"Those are the difficult questions."
Years of talk
If construction goes ahead the tunnel will take 15 years to build and cost at least $8bn (£4bn).
The Spanish and Moroccan governments see the tunnel as part of a new Mediterranean transport hub for passengers and goods.
Others are not so sure. The prospect of a physical connection between their country and the poorest continent in the world is alarming to some Spaniards.determine whether this underwater connection is technically possible. Spain says a feasibility study for an undersea tunnel to connect Spain and Morocco is in the final stages. ... more -
Bike Sharing Program Launched in Mexico City : TreeHugger
C'mon! Even Mexico sees bike sharing as a good idea. What the heck is taking so long in the US? *sigh*
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17 Electric Cars You Must Know About
Since it's 'death' the electric car seems to be under a race for revival.
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10 Things You Can Like About $4 Gas
Putting a positive spin on escalating fuel costs, Time Magazine has a list of the ten best things abuot $4 a gallon gas.
Included in the list are four-day work weeks, less pollution and less obesity. Putting a positive spin on escalating fuel costs, Time Magazine has a list of the ten best things abuot $4 a gallon gas. ... more -
Man in 4x4 Kills Pedestrian By Reversing
Further proof - if you needed it - that 4x4s (SUVs) are the most dangerous form of transport on the roads today - a man managed to kill a pedestrian by reversing over her.
Businessman Michael Crofts escaped jail as he was able to prove that he was unable to see his 61-yr old victim Janet Austin when reversing.
Astonishingly, the police have issued a warning to all other 4x4 drivers warning them of the dangers of reversing.
Wouldn't an enforced drastic redesign of all these ridiculous vehicles be a much more sensible way of saving people's lives? Further proof - if you needed it - that 4x4s (SUVs) are the most dangerous form of transport on the roads today - a man managed to kil... more -
Drivers face £5 toll on motorways into London
It looks like there are plans on the table to charge a toll of £5 for all drivers using motorways to drive in to London.
The toll would be in addition to the current 'congestion charge' zone in the centre of the city, and would operate on the M4 and M3 motorways.
The plan would cost in the region of £6billion (approx $12 billion) according to Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly. It looks like there are plans on the table to charge a toll of £5 for all drivers using motorways to drive in to London. ... more -
Physician charged with stopping his car suddenly in front of two cyclists.
Driver under the influence of non-existent common sense.
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Christopher Thomas Thompson, 59, was charged with two felony counts each of reckless driving causing injury and battery with serious bodily injury in connection with a July 4 crash.
Prosecutors allege that on July 4, Thompson slammed on the brakes of his red Infiniti sedan in front of two cyclists riding downhill on Mandeville Canyon Road. Authorities said the impact flung one cyclist through the car's rear window and the other to the pavement.
Peter Swarth, Thompson's attorney, said in a statement about the July crash today: "We regret that charges were filed today against Dr. Thompson. The incident was an unfortunate accident and was absolutely not a case of 'road rage,' as some have suggested. Dr. Thompson continues to wish for the injured cyclists speedy recovery."
Watson said he skidded to the right of the car as the other cyclist skidded to the left, "right into on-coming traffic." The motorist drove right at the other cyclist, who then punched the car, Watson said. "He then drove straight at me."
Cyclist Ron Peterson, 40, whose head crashed through the car window July 4, had broken teeth, a broken nose and serious cuts on his face. The other cyclist, Christian Stoehr, 29, had a shoulder separation he said would require surgery.
Photos showing a car's shattered window and what appears to be blood-covered trunk and others showing an injured Peterson on a gurney and in a UCLA Medical Center bed were quickly posted on Internet blogs, prompting outraged e-mails among members of Westside riding clubs.
Peterson said that Thompson "yelled out some profanity and, 'Ride single-file!' " Peterson said he then screamed an expletive at Thompson, who he said veered in front of the riders and "slammed on his brakes as hard as he could."
Thompson is free on $30,000 bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 1 at the airport branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court. If convicted on all counts, he will face up to seven years and eight months in state prison.
---full story at link--- Driver under the influence of non-existent common sense. - ... more -
B.C. oil could ease crisis
Canada could play a crucial role in helping alleviate the international energy crisis if it continues to expand Alberta oilsands production and considers allowing exploration off B.C.'s pristine coastline, says a senior official with the International Energy Agency. Canada could play a crucial role in helping alleviate the international energy crisis if it continues to expand Alberta oilsands produ... more
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UK Invests Big Money In Bikes : TreeHugger
Well, the UK has done something else right. Like all the good (and not so good) European countries they're increasing spending for cyclists.
A couple good quotes:
"The first step in persuading people to leave their cars at home is to offer them a real choice," said Transport Minister, Ruth Kelly. "Providing a step change in cycling facilities, dedicated cycle lanes, more training and information will have a big impact on how people choose to travel."
"A quarter of journeys made every day by car are less than two miles, Cycling is an alternative that could bring real health benefits to millions of adults and children, as well as helping them save money and beat congestion."
Well, the UK has done something else right. Like all the good (and not so good) European countries they're increasing spending for cy... more -
Oyster Cards Suffer a Fail
A computer glitch may mean that thousands of London commuters won't be able to use their Oyster card this morning, causing potential chaos on the tubes. A computer glitch may mean that thousands of London commuters won't be able to use their Oyster card this morning, causing potential c... more
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NY's Broadway becoming the Great Bike Way
Glad to see NY is looking into embracing bikes as opposed to restricting them.
Interesting article... we'll see how far it goes...
Seems to be that Bloomberg is changing his stance on two wheelers.. Let's hope it's true.
Ride on!
NEW YORK - Call it the Great Bike Way.
New York City plans to turn a swath of Broadway in midtown Manhattan into a bike lane and public esplanade _ leaving two fewer lanes for vehicles on the busy thoroughfare.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Friday that the plan will benefit the environment as well as people's health.
The Broadway plan will "give us a lot more room to walk on the streets and to get people ... out of their cars and walking, which is good for their health and also good for the environment," Bloomberg said on his weekly radio show.
The area, called Broadway Boulevard, will run from 42nd Street eight blocks south to the busy shopping district of Herald Square, which includes Macy's department store. The esplanade will be flanked by a pedestrian walkway with cafe tables and umbrellas, separated from vehicular traffic by planters filled with flowers.
The area's Fashion Center Business Improvement District is working with the city's Department of Transportation to create the street plazas, at a cost of $700,000. Jan Gehl, an urban designer based in Copenhagen, was hired as a consultant.
Work already is under way. The esplanade is to open in mid-August, with newly painted pavement and plastic traffic barriers popping up on the street.
The project is in line with Bloomberg's vision of reducing New York's traffic and pollution by encouraging bike riding and other alternatives to cars.
City transportation officials also are exploring other possibilities _ from banning cars on Park Avenue on three Saturdays in August to a bicycle-sharing program. Glad to see NY is looking into embracing bikes as opposed to restricting them. Interesting article... we'll see how far it goes... ... more -
Train To Coachella!
This year's Coachella festival was the first of its kind with its own train and train station. To help reduce the carbon footprint of a 3-day music festival held in the desert, organizers found a way to make one giant carpool – that came in the form of the Coachella Express. After a year of planning between Coachella, Global Inheritance, Golden Voice and Amtrak, this train idea got, well, rolling. This year's Coachella festival was the first of its kind with its own train and train station. To help reduce the carbon footprint of ... more
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