A Car-Free Corridor on the Maine Coast

smartercities:

CarFree Coast of Maine View more presentations from New Media Transit

Today, for every one car-pooler, there are six solo drivers

The percentage of workers who car-pool has dropped by almost half since 1980, the first time the Census Bureau started systematically tracking the numbers, according to new data from the bureau.

The sharp decline has confounded efforts by urban planners, who over the years have tried to encourage the practice by setting aside highway lanes for car-poolers, as well as offering incentives like discounted parking.

via The New York Times

Not surprisingly, some of the most vocal critics of the finalists have been urban cyclists who would like to be able to get around a taxi safely, yet endanger themselves and passengers when passengers suddenly open a door.
via The New York Times

Manhattan taxi trips are short (about 1.9 miles) and quick (averaging 10 minutes) — if you’re going to use a model already in production why not a SmartCar, which is well-designed, easy to park and has terrific fuel efficiency?
via The New York Times

smarterplanet:

weliveinthefuture:

“Google-funded startup Makani has already proven that kites have value as an energy source. Now the GE-chartered Beluga SkySails cargo vessel has shown that kites—yes, those lightweight things you fly from strings—can act as propulsion systems on ships.
The vessel, chartered by GE’s Project Logistics team to carry power-generating equipment, boasts the first towing kite propulsion system for a commercial shipping vessel. The parasail-like kite attaches to the ship’s bow and pulls it through the water. The SkySails system can carry a load of eight to 16 tons—a number that is expected to increase to 32 tons by 2012 as the technology matures.”
via mikehudack:hilker:hippieflavor:Fast Company
===
Is the kite pulling the ship or is the ship flying the kite?

smarterplanet:

Greentech - For Electric Cars, 30-Minute Recharges - NYTimes.com
Most charging, experts say, will be done at home and at the workplace, where electric vehicle owners will have hours to connect their cars to high-power units, known as Level 2 chargers, that operate on 240-volt circuits. (Level 1 uses 120-volt household current.) Apartment buildings are also expected to offer Level 2 capability as a perk to attract eco-conscious tenants, though providing more than a few chargers per building may prove to be a challenge. Still, there will be times when electric cars will be out on the road, running on the electrical equivalent of fumes, and looking for a charge. The good news is that the top class of chargers, Level 3, includes units that can boost a typical electric car most of the way to full in just 30 minutes using about twice the voltage of a Level 2 charger. The logical place for fast charging would be stopover locations — a Starbucks coffee shop or a big-box store, for example.

thingslikethat:

umamoon:

これならもう盗まれない？ロンドンのデザイナーが画期的な自転車を発明！？ - IDEA*IDEA ～百式管理人のライフハックブログ

Trek’s announcement of their 2011 Gary Fisher Collection line includes the “Transport” and “Transport+”, longtail cargo bicycles with foldup loading racks in the rear, front rack, huge cargo bags, and front porteur rack.

The aluminum framed 21 speed Transport cargo bike includes front fender with mudflap, front and rear lights designed into the bike, and a wide stance kickstand. Front disc brake and rear V-brake stop the bike, rider and load.
The Trek Transport+ is the Transport with electric assist. The battery slides under the rear deck; a 350 watt rear hub motor powers you along.
via cyclelicious

Return