Future perfect: Self-powered public transport

Public transports have been some of the most advantageous things that have come out of the industrial revolution. With the mass production of buses, airplanes, trains and ships, the world has suddenly become easily accessible. The cost of traveling has come down too. But with increasing population, the need for more and more public vehicle is putting pressure on the environment and with each new vehicle on the road, spitting out unwanted smoke, we are realizing the need for a solution.

Self-powered public transport

There are many ongoing researches that are working to solve this problem and things like solar-powered buses, bus trains and hybrid public transport vehicles have been conceived. The idea of self-powered transport is along these lines and has the power to have a positive effect on the environment. Here are some vehicles and the ideas behind them that seriously need are attention.

1. Self-powered rail car

The Transportation Research Board's committee for self-powered rail car technologies has come up with the idea of self-propelled rail cars that have sources for power on board. These sources of power can either be some alternative fuels or diesel internal combustion engines. Research is ongoing and soon we would have rail cars that use much less fuel than before.

2. Bombardier Eco-4

The Bombadier Eco-4 is a futuristic train designed by Francisco Lupin. The train is Eco-friendly and would run on solar energy. This energy is harnessed through the solar panels fitted on the train, changing direction along with the sun's rotation. The train would have an automatic pilot computer that would be responsible for its running. The computer would be retested at every station.

3. AirFLoW

The AirFLoW hovercraft is designed by Lukas Medeisis, especially for the city of Helsinki. The hovercraft is an alternative public transport option and has capacity to carry 40 people, along with the driver. There is also space for two wheel chairs or baby trolleys as well as space to keep bicycles. The AirFLoW is surely a responsible step towards a better tomorrow.

The concept

The new researches in the field of battery technologies has given a concrete form to the ideas and now every one is excited. The research has been able to make batteries that charge by themselves and can use all kinds of energy for it. The material can come handy in making cars, phones or gadgets that require a source of energy. The electronic vehicle industry is especially looking forward for this development because once there is material available that would charge the car by itself, the need for heavy and expensive batteries would end. This could also be used to make vehicles for public transport which would be a huge step for a better environment.

The advantages

Thinking towards such things as self-powered batteries would eliminate the use of batteries and the need to plug them into a source of electricity. Thus, the usage of electricity would greatly decrease. This would also make the batteries lighter and easier to carry around, be it in the vehicles or any other devices. Researchers are also finding ways to make these batteries more efficient and durable so that not only the usage of these batteries helps the environment friendly, but also easy on the pocket.

The impact

While the need of a vehicle cannot be eliminated from our world, there are plenty of ways by which we can reduce the tension our pollution emitting motors are causing on the planet. People and societies have come up with new strategies which including car pooling, in which people of different households use a common vehicle and share the expenses, use of public transports, which costs much less money and lesser pollution and using alternative ways of transport like bicycles or walking.

The concept of self-powered public transport is also gaining momentum and it is not too long that we would be seeing these vehicles on the roads nearby. After years of researching, these technologies are ready to be used and are being incorporated in buses and trains. Solar- powered train or hybrid buses that use both gas and an alternative fuels are examples of this research.

While we are aiming at the mass production of these vehicles, the entry of them is nothing less than a celebration. We can finally take pride in our technologies and drive vehicles without feeling the guilt of producing pollution. The future awaits many more examples as these and a brighter tomorrow for all of us.