tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53532411647453589902024-03-13T08:40:35.634+05:30The Future WheelsThis blog is about present and future modes of sustainable transportSaahilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728369056878076023noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353241164745358990.post-8824631115693252672015-03-16T19:42:00.000+05:302015-03-16T19:42:01.150+05:30The Future of Lund's Bicycle Economy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I am currently a Master's student of Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science in Lund University, Sweden.</div>
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I have written an article for Lundagard, Lund University's student newspaper.</div>
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The article is titled, '<a href="http://lundagard.net/2015/03/13/the-future-of-lunds-bicycle-economy/">The Future of Lund's Bicycle Economy</a>'.</div>
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It talks about the current state and future of the city's bicycle based society.</div>
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There are around 47000 students in Lund University which are included in the total city population of 114000 inhabitants. These students either walk or use their bicycle to school. This has formed Lund's bicycle economy and I have written an article on the future of this economy.</div>
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I thank you for spending you time in reading the article and look forward to receiving your comments.</div>
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Saahilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728369056878076023noreply@blogger.com2Lund, Sweden55.7046601 13.19100730000002455.633088099999995 13.029645800000024 55.7762321 13.352368800000024tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353241164745358990.post-67596959978151403862014-03-16T00:53:00.000+05:302014-03-18T00:57:17.101+05:30Learning and Leisure Trip on Mumbai Monorail<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It was a Sunday morning
and probably a very long weekend for those who might have taken Friday off to
enjoy the festival of colours, <i>Holi</i>, on
Monday in the country. I was commuting in the suburban train on my way to meet
a host of transport enthusiasts to experience the Mumbai Monorail. Being
fortunate to have got onto a train (route) that would take me directly to the
railway station nearest to the Monorail allowed me a carefree over hear of
conversation on fictional writing, cooking and 20 something problems being discussed
by a couple sitting in front of me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The organiser of the Mumbai
Monorail Meetup</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">, Vivek,
recommended that I experience the inconvenient walk from the train to the
monorail station. This is how it summed up –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Step 1 – A 15 minute
(leisure) walk from Chembur railway station to Chembur Monorail station. For
those citizens who have it in them to admire tress on both sides of the sky walk
and then yet be in support of the 10 minute walk after getting lucky to have
found a guard (who isn’t asleep) to instruct whether to navigate towards the
left or right at the end of the skywalk in order to arrive at the monorail must
not already form an opinion about the Mumbai Monorail.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Step 2 – Overcome two
points of uncertainty with reference to direction toward the Monorail.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Step 3 – You can either
queue to collect a blue coloured chip which is for short term use or form a
line to purchase a smart card which is valid for six months from the last
recharge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Step 4 – While standing
in line, you might want to have a look at the Monorail map which also acts as a
commute fare indicator and save time of people in line behind you. As part of
the Meetup we had decided to cover the entire stretch of Phase 1 for which one
pays Rs. 11.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Having arrived for the
Meetup before time I landed waiting for other members to arrive and fourty
minutes had already passed. Little did I know that cameras had me under their
watch and I had managed to make security guards very uncomfortable. On being
approached by guards, I learnt that the blue coloured chip had a validity of
only one hour. Having waited 40 minutes and with a 30 minute Monorail ride to
follow I would have been awarded a fine. This is when I cleared out of the
station to re-purchase my fare, except this time I purchased the smart card.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">During the 40 minute wait I spotted the Monorail skirt, which reminded me (in the environment I was standing in) of the 1996 Duke Nukem 3D computer game.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Step 5 – Those who have
travelled the Delhi Metro might not need a visual for this step. The commuter
has to simply place the chip or smart card over an area which would allow him
through a security box of approximately three and a half feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Step 6 – Security check.
At the malls in Mumbai security guards use the full body scanner to no effect.
At the Mumbai Monorail security guards only hold the scanner in their hand but
do not use it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Step 7 – By the time all
of us met, of which Vivek had invited his friend, Shashank, who works for Scomi,
the Malaysian company that had manufactured the Mumbai Monorail, had already
answered over a dozen fundamental questions. The seven of us walked a final
flight of stairs that took us to the Monorail level.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Step 8 – There were security
guards to monitor commuters so that no one creates havoc or mess just before mounting
the Monorail.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The pink coloured
Monorail consisted of four coaches, completing the entire car. The route was designed
to allow a pair of monorails to operate either way of the route. While in the
Monorail, and standing at the head coach of the Monorail, we received a
detailed explanation of the functionality of the vehicle. Some interesting
points included –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Monorail is controlled by a
joystick. If the driver lets go of the joystick the vehicle begins working
towards a halt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The entire system is monitored by the
control room which is based at the final station of Phase 1. The Mumbai
Monorail is designed at Grade 2 advanced level where motion of the vehicle and
doors are controlled by the driver of the Monorail. The most advanced level is a
Grade 4 system which includes regenerative braking technology and a driverless
vehicle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Currently, Mumbai Monorail is yet gathering
public response and operates only till 3 p.m daily, during which it has limited
its maximum running speed to 65 km/hr while it is designed to travel up to a
speed of 80 km/hr, operates at 90% optimum carrying capacity of the Monorail,
has a headway (interval time between two Monorails) of 15 minutes, has released
only 4 cars to operate on the 9 kilo meter route and employs over 250
individuals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There is a 90 degree turn en route to the
Wadala Depot Station (the seventh and final station). Visually this looks very
appealing. I wish I had a clicked a photo at that time. Supporting the vehicle is
a total of 64 wheels tucked away under the body of the Monorail. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There
are a set of 8 wheels (2 foundation, 6 supporting) under each seating area.
There are 8 seating areas, 2 in each coach (primarily reserved for the elderly).
The 6 supporting wheels run parallel to the track as if cleaning the track on
the sides while rotating during motion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Maintenance</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> shed in blue</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The beam (tracks) on which the Monorail
operates have adjustable fork like structures which enables the Monorail to shift
tracks. It is interesting to observe the movement of the fork like structure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When
we boarded the Monorail at Chembur station we boarded from the right side of
the Monorail. After leaving Chembur station the fork like structure shifted the
Monorail to the left side beam, hence on reaching Wadala Depot Station we got
out from the left side exit doors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For
commuters waiting to board the Monrail at Wadala Depot station, the Monorail
had to surpass the station by a half kilo meter, fork to the right, come back
to the station and then collect commuters.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">By the time we had
completed our one way trip, Sachin, the founder of Mumbai based m-indicator smart
phone application had already got a solid idea towards including the Monorail
route to the application, which already serves commuters using suburban train
and public bus routes. The group began realising the big picture –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Su41h7JctT1ILH7Im9mRCIyp4nKGAsGCCIGGC1okS3BHJZhtxxX2E_Z-grGKlSylDSOqypPgNtD5k9kwEyPHka93PuWvwNNRQXHWEkj3Yh_kraNHVDg7w-deApnTzG1XRMh68j2PgTI/s1600/2014-03-16+13.01.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Su41h7JctT1ILH7Im9mRCIyp4nKGAsGCCIGGC1okS3BHJZhtxxX2E_Z-grGKlSylDSOqypPgNtD5k9kwEyPHka93PuWvwNNRQXHWEkj3Yh_kraNHVDg7w-deApnTzG1XRMh68j2PgTI/s1600/2014-03-16+13.01.35.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Currently majority of Monorail users are
leisure commuters who only wish to experience a Monorail ride. This has naturally
amounted to very weak financial returns to the Mumbai Monorail management.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On either side of the Monorail commute
through the seven stations, one could justifiably see greenery. There was no
financial, residential or industrial complex visible. This basically translates
to loss for the MMRDA in the short and medium term. It is quite possible that political
parties and builders (Ajmera builders who already have a presence near IMAX
Dome theatre) might have purchased land around the Monorail for future gains. Then
again which transport project is not about land?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If Phase 1 has employed
Rs. 1100 crore, the headway must be reduced to the targeted 2 minutes and
optimum number of cars must be introduced as per plan in order to recover the
invested amount. Shashank informed me that Mumbai Monorail documents all commuter
movement and has numbers pertaining to economic, financial and technical progress.
This must be shared with the general public, hence contributing towards better
awareness and acceptance of such a public transport initiative.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I was very happy to be
part of such a trip. After the Monorail ride nine of us continued discussions
over some Asian food of which the Malaysian curry was most scrumptious.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Saahilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728369056878076023noreply@blogger.com3Chembur Monorail Station, Ramakrishna Chemburkar Marg, Postal Colony, Chembur, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400074, India19.0612387 72.8975609000000319.0603007 72.89630040000003 19.062176700000002 72.898821400000031tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353241164745358990.post-83856969732778235792013-12-02T22:51:00.000+05:302013-12-02T22:51:12.955+05:30Hong Kong Transportation System<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Taking into consideration that the year of 1949 is a significant year
for Hong Kong, let’s track back to Hong Kong’s history for a moment. In
October, 1949 when China celebrated its National Day it left Hong Kong for the
British on the condition that Hong Kong must successfully perform as an
entrepot trade </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">center</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">. Such a condition encouraged the Government of Hong Kong
to propel itself into a manufacturing hub which would help maintain its
capitalist stature.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Hong Kong’s geographic position is a boon, attracting business
opportunities. Supporting such opportunities is a world class transportation
and communication infrastructure. The country has the highest rate of commuters
using mass transit. The third comprehensive transport study predicts that 90% of
daily 11.5 million commuter trips will be completed using public transport
networks by 2016. The transportation network consists of government owned MTR
Corporation Limited, the sole rail operator since merger with <span style="background: white;">Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation in 2007 and private
operators of buses, public light buses, green light buses, tram, taxi and
ferry.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The Environmental Report 2011, Transport Department,
Government of Hong Kong recognizes 8 green transport objectives to be fulfilled
in the year 2011. The 5 most relevant objectives include –<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">1.<span style="line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">Reduction in vehicular traffic – This will be
met through public transport integration called ‘interchange schemes’ and by </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">rationalizing</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> more bus routes.</span><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">2.<span style="line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">Tightening of emission control – Improvement
of fuel standards targeted at franchised bus operators. This has been met
through retrofitting of Diesel Oxidation Catalyst, Diesel Particulate Filter
and Selective Catalytic Reduction device.<br />
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<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">3.<span style="line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">Replacing Diesel Vehicles – Targeted at
Public Light Buses, the objective is to move from diesel fuel to LPG fuel or
electric operated vehicles.<br />
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<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">4.<span style="line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">Pedestrian Schemes – Improvement of
pedestrian facilities through traffic calming schemes.<br />
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<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">5.<span style="line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">Efficient use of road space – This will be
achieved through application of advanced technologies such as dissemination of
real-time traffic information to people, Driver Route Search Service, mobile
application for DRSS, speed map panels, Traffic and Incident Management System
and Area Traffic Control Systems.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The Transport Department will pursue the above objectives until desired
outcomes are achieved. The Hong Kong transportation network currently consists
of –</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr71nSlCdlJDJ80fRtjMRlsz_ncoY8iXWhA1u7b1mDf6_BC-DIsI49XroqdjAqX8r3Rjye0Sy1JlcyUe2Z2dYE0jVRfPmwVsp8MFIvOCfvVL3FoiJk74NRTHpXTvq3S0ds6b_38vZ3vrM/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr71nSlCdlJDJ80fRtjMRlsz_ncoY8iXWhA1u7b1mDf6_BC-DIsI49XroqdjAqX8r3Rjye0Sy1JlcyUe2Z2dYE0jVRfPmwVsp8MFIvOCfvVL3FoiJk74NRTHpXTvq3S0ds6b_38vZ3vrM/s640/Untitled.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The above table has the following hidden details –<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">1.<span style="line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">There are 138 licensed vehicles for every </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">kilometer</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> of road<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">2.<span style="line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">Taxis in Hong Kong were introduced in 1947<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">3.<span style="line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">The Octopus card is used to pay for transport
and other services<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">4.<span style="line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">The Peak Tramways is the primary source to
reach The Peak, a tourist destination<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">5.<span style="line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">The Citybus franchise has 942 air conditioned
buses and increased the number of double deck buses, not single deck buses, in
the period 2012-2013<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The above features make the Hong Kong transport network a world class
transport experience.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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New World First Bus (green, orange) and Citybus (yellow)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohD7x173VmbaSbzw-tYnnRz1GgaM1NM0GWVZ_Z62fqo2X2bVkUfrjpt2GSpneSV0yt304E5HgjewUm2GKZ8puDb84aHPBouGZxKJoPi9UjgDEpY3COzOXXgixQqwdORxseDgT1S3JGQ0/s1600/P1020976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohD7x173VmbaSbzw-tYnnRz1GgaM1NM0GWVZ_Z62fqo2X2bVkUfrjpt2GSpneSV0yt304E5HgjewUm2GKZ8puDb84aHPBouGZxKJoPi9UjgDEpY3COzOXXgixQqwdORxseDgT1S3JGQ0/s320/P1020976.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hong Kong Tramways (blue) and NWFB</div>
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Urban red taxi</div>
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Saahilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728369056878076023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353241164745358990.post-56096062112661491052013-06-10T10:07:00.000+05:302013-06-10T10:07:00.516+05:30One Day, Three Cities, Seven Modes of Transport<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Before I get back to developments mentioned in the previous
blog entry I would like to share my three city tour across seven modes of
transportation on World Environment Day.</div>
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I was invited to attend a workshop focusing on fuel
efficiency in Pune. The journey began at 6:15 on a Wednesday morning. I drove
myself along with family to the well known Bisleri water factory. It is a route
that requires 40 minutes devoted in evening hours, which I completed in 10
minutes. </div>
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On the Eastern side, I was to catch an AC bus that would
take me to Pune. This was the second time I was travelling to Pune by bus. The
journey is filled with greenery and mountains. En route passengers are treated
with <i>chikki, </i>a healthy snack bar
filled with and usually made of various dry fruits. The journey takes 3 hours
to complete and I was not going to be dropped at the exact point required.</div>
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On reaching the city I figured that it is not going to be
easy hopping onto one of the local buses. The buses did not have any indicator
on them. So I figured best to walk a few steps and get myself an auto-rickshaw.
The Google Map reading showed that I was in walking distance to Pune
University. I had wanted to get to Yashada on Baner Road. One thing is certain,
I was taken in circles. Although it was nice looking at the fine houses, trees
forming a canopy on these streets and the smooth auto ride with no pot holes.</div>
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I reached the workshop on time, at 10 minutes to 10 am.
While the workshop was a round table event and a different experience by
itself, I will keep that story for a separate entry. On completion of the
workshop I coordinated a meet with the founder of Parisar, a Pune based Civil
Society Organisation focusing on urban transport challenges facing Pune. I had
the opportunity to ride along with Mr. Sujit Patwardhan on his scooter to the
Parisar office. On entering the colony, Mr. Patwardhan shared a cold fact with
me. He mentioned that the colony has been renovated at the cost of Rs. 12
crore, a complete waste of taxpayer money. It looked very spick and span.</div>
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Next, I had to catch a flight to Delhi. Before I did, I
enjoyed a beautiful walk down a lane of the same colony. Pune airport is not
very big and hence very convenient to complete bag screening and security. I
had reached very early, one hour and a half before takeoff. The flight time is
not very long; the distance takes under two hours to complete. </div>
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On landing, it was 21:15 and not knowing that my final
destination was only 25 minutes by road I took an hour and half long metro ride
to my final destination, Saket Metro Station. The Orange line airport metro is
very spacious in comparison to metro boogies of other routes. The metro route
required me to swap at New Delhi Metro Station in order to get into the Yellow
Line to reach Saket. Once on the Yellow line, it was a trip down memory lane.
In June, 2011 I was in Delhi, travelling up and down the Yellow metro line. I
was in Delhi as part of a summer programme titled Agenda for Survival. The
final leg of the journey was also in a way to post live feed to my Agenda for
Survival friends on our Whatsapp group photos of the now so mesmerizing Yellow
line route. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbgiyDZDrMXPTdd_pOmJdCD8nw0SHBUcrBSu4azoQWJSx0142uf9hymOaN2A2OFYz_-VOdbFzwE9FiZNrmHUkq498rmzsYJQRv58lZ8ViZde_Tr3LjJ_P4C2iwROauSHu786pGfcTsT4/s1600/2013-06-05+21.56.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbgiyDZDrMXPTdd_pOmJdCD8nw0SHBUcrBSu4azoQWJSx0142uf9hymOaN2A2OFYz_-VOdbFzwE9FiZNrmHUkq498rmzsYJQRv58lZ8ViZde_Tr3LjJ_P4C2iwROauSHu786pGfcTsT4/s320/2013-06-05+21.56.28.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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In the morning, this is how I saw Saket Metro Station after
two years and a 1393 kilo meter or 865 miles stretch of journey. In my opinion
it was the most contradicting day to score such a high carbon footprint.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1XZyruhReqiLnPwoxkS731FdPTsrKPdQCn3uwU5NFPMS4xSl9yCdTCE3b-BQToOSalQTvEgADsZURSnz088QGR5KWKOqSxm1u-TjayrmiN_6b2MM4jk8u7PcxcWRzG-6w2HrCfb8C2s/s1600/2013-06-06+19.26.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1XZyruhReqiLnPwoxkS731FdPTsrKPdQCn3uwU5NFPMS4xSl9yCdTCE3b-BQToOSalQTvEgADsZURSnz088QGR5KWKOqSxm1u-TjayrmiN_6b2MM4jk8u7PcxcWRzG-6w2HrCfb8C2s/s320/2013-06-06+19.26.55.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Saahilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728369056878076023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353241164745358990.post-5699989273522131602013-05-13T11:22:00.001+05:302013-05-13T11:22:40.763+05:30China : Auto Anarchy..Not Quite So<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">It is very evident that
the immediate future of the automobile industry lies in the hands of young buyers
across Asia. Similar to mass demand for the mass produced Ford Model T in 1914,
auto enthusiasts in China are demanding cars, but at a complete different
level.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvi6KkEpU9odR62M4DmH2X6lR41mOShTcq2JM_42QvIQkOGNNA-IyZ0p-zpbc3FsRbMRe-hXVhxf3GMmcySBsuEM4aPKyBUeEQySefa40maiQKrP6aJzWCBqEgLtcrbDP5bJimEOQEqf8/s1600/Automobiles-in-China.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvi6KkEpU9odR62M4DmH2X6lR41mOShTcq2JM_42QvIQkOGNNA-IyZ0p-zpbc3FsRbMRe-hXVhxf3GMmcySBsuEM4aPKyBUeEQySefa40maiQKrP6aJzWCBqEgLtcrbDP5bJimEOQEqf8/s320/Automobiles-in-China.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">According to
AlixPartners, a consultancy, worldwide market for cars will grow to 107 million
units a year in 2020. China, the current market leader for cars will remain a
leader way past 2020. Projections of annual car sales are set to be at 31
million units by 2020. This figure is six times more than the combined car
sales of Japan and South Korea, double the size of Western Europe car sales and
11 million more units of sales seen in North America. Even with such numbers the
Chinese government has its nose up in the air.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">The PRC is bothered
with the fact that it still does not have a single automobile company that can
provide stiff competition to Western counterparts. In a bid to improve this
situation, the Chinese government has put conditions on foreign automobile companies,
a cost to enter the Chinese market. Foreign car companies are required to form
joint ventures with domestic car players.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">According to Bernstein,
this policy measure has proved futile. While the Chinese government hoped that
Chinese car companies would learn from foreign experience, a situation of
dependence has occurred. Chinese car companies are highly dependent on foreign technology
and pay heavy royalties for use of foreign brands. Even the Chinese consumer
has large preference for foreign brands.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">The question of
interest is - which are these new technologies over which China is being arm wrestled.
We can broadly divide the technology initiatives under three classifications –</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">1)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">Electric powertain advancements</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">2)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">Tech based policy adjustments</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">3)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">The Driverless car ambition</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">In the next upload we
shall look at each of the three solutions which have already gained momentum in
the second decade of the 21</span><sup style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">st</sup><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"> century.</span><br />
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Saahilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728369056878076023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353241164745358990.post-89645718342200525562013-04-16T11:12:00.000+05:302013-04-16T11:16:11.032+05:30EMBARQ CONNECTKaro Event<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The above is a screenshot of a live web cast to which I received an invitation organized by <a href="http://embarqindia.org/">EMBARQ India</a>. This is EMBARQ's first annual conference titled CONNECTKaro which literally translates to 'do the connect'. In context of the conference it was an apt title signalling the need for improvement and integration of public transportation in the city of Mumbai in order to stimulate public transportation habit and usage. I attended the opening session and found a link in the key message delivered by the various speakers.</div>
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EMBARQ is the World Resources Institute's Center for Sustainable Transport. It is recognized as an independent think tank in India and other emerging economies. The conference began with an introduction from a member on WRI's Board of Directors -</div>
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<a href="http://www.wri.org/about/board/jamshyd-godrej">Mr. Jamshyd Godrej </a>- Emphasized on the need to realize urgency in upgrading transport fuel grades in India to Euro V and VI standards.</div>
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<a href="http://www.mmrda.maharashtra.gov.in/">Mr. UPS Madan</a> - Being the current Commissioner of Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority explained transportation as we see it on the roads today. He argued that widening roads and continuously building highways is not the solution to public transportation. This is not sustainable as the demand for privately owned vehicles is ever increasing.</div>
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<a href="http://www.bestundertaking.com/general_manager.asp">Mr. O.P Gupta </a>- He is the General Manager of BEST Undertaking, Mumbai's public bus service. He mentioned that road safety is very important. The city lacks public discipline as seen by overtaking private vehicles and BEST buses even on a traffic packed road. He concluded by saying 'effective public transport is clean and dignified' this is a means to get more individuals to use public transport.</div>
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<a href="http://www.urbanindia.nic.in/">Dr. Sudhir Krishna </a>- He is Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development. He gave various examples of sustainable transportation development across India -</div>
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a) Delhi bus fare - It has played an important role in changing attitudes of bus commuters. The air conditioned buses charge Rs. 10 which has resulted in members from all economic classes to travel together in the same bus</div>
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b) As per the Union Budget 2013, Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission with get 10,000 additional buses for city commuters</div>
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c) Transit Oriented Development as seen by the Mumbai-Delhi Industrial Corridor</div>
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d) Bengaluru observes a Bus Day on fourth of every month to promote public transportation. Mysore's bus depot can be compared to a 'museum'.</div>
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e) In the future mass transit projects such as metro should be under the administration of the municipal corporation of a city. Responsibility in the hands of local authorities will ensure success of such projects.</div>
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<a href="http://www.gehlarchitects.com/">Professor Jan Gehl</a>, video recorded message - He is the founder of Gehl Architects. In the video recording he spoke heavily on the effectiveness of walking and cycling as an effective means of non motorized transportation. </div>
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<a href="http://www.gehlarchitects.com/index.php?id=165135">Ms. Henriette Vamberg</a> - She is a director and Head of Gehl Cities at Gehl Architects and spoke in lieu of Professor Gehl. She suggested that city planning should develop bicycle lanes for maximum bicycle use. In many countries ministers use bicycles to get to work. This practice is not frowned upon by the citizens and instead motivates masses to embrace cycling as a daily means of commute.</div>
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<a href="http://www.wri.org/profile/madhav-pai">Mr. Madhav Pai </a>- He is Director at EMBARQ India and was the host of the dialogue.</div>
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In my opinion, the broad message drawn from the speeches of the speakers is requirement for change in attitude towards public demand for public goods, in this case transportation. This change in attitude will favour expansion of public transport services and as a result challenge the existence of unsustainable means of private transportation.</div>
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Saahilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728369056878076023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353241164745358990.post-5602502537294131812012-09-07T19:47:00.000+05:302012-09-07T20:06:51.977+05:30National Conference on Emerging Market Economies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Earlier last week I attended a conference at <a href="http://www.ruiacollege.edu/">Ruia College</a>, University of Mumbai. As the title suggests it was an Economics conference focused on examining the role of Emerging Market Economies in the 21st century. I would like to get into certain details of the conference as here is where I presented my first paper. It is on Environmental Economics, titled : Asia - Potential for Green Economy.</div>
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Over the three day conference speakers spoke about issues concerning Macroeconomic Policy, Banking, Finance and Insurance in India, Trade and Investment in India and there was also a panel for Environment and Energy Economics. The opening evening saw Ruia College's two esteemed alumnus - Economist <a href="http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/lords/meghnad-desai/26794">Lord Meghnad Desai</a> and Member of Planning Commission <a href="http://www.drnarendrajadhav.info/new_version/default.htm">Dr. Narendra Jadhav</a>.</div>
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Dr. Narendra Jadhav, speaker of the evening, presented his findings on Emerging Market Economies where he studied all countries with a population greater than 30,000. He spoke about economic literature of emerging economies, coining of term 'Emerging Market Economies' and concluded by raising a question - now that the West is in debt, how and from where will Eastern economies generate income?</div>
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That evening I got an opportunity to talk with Lord Meghnad Desai. Lord Desai gave me research direction towards my next paper. In the above mentioned paper I have drawn conclusion by estimating year when India will achieve bend on Environmental Kuznets Curve.</div>
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Lord Meghnad Desai</div>
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The following two days and specifically lecture by <a href="http://www.isas.nus.edu.sg/Nachane.aspx">Dr. Dilip Nachane</a>, Emeritus Professor, IGIDR, Mumbai I was introduced to Efficient market hypothesis, Jackson Hole consensus and inverted U relation between financialization and economic growth. At the panel on Environment and Energy Economics chaired by <a href="http://www.livemint.com/">Mint</a> newspaper Executive Director, Niranjan Rajadhyaksha, panelists included -</div>
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<a href="http://www.hss.iitb.ac.in/Trivedi/">Dr. Pushpa Trivedi</a> professor at Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai spoke about National Income versus National Resource Counting,</div>
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<a href="http://www.nitie.edu/Resume_Prof%20Hegde_full_march%2010%202011.pdf">Dr. Dinesh Hegde</a>, professor at National Institute of Industrial Engineering, Mumbai spoke about Environment, Energy and Technology Interface and</div>
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<a href="http://www.expressindia.com/news/expressgroup/senior-editors.html">Mr. Girish Kuber</a>, Executive Editor, Lok Satta newspaper discussed the role of oil in everyday life, economy and cause for political imbalance. </div>
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The valedictory function was a lecture by Economist<a href="http://fr.twitter.com/ajit_ranade"> Ajit Ranade</a>. He spoke about all aspects concerning China's economy. The lecture was very informative and interactive, as audience was dominated by college students. The conference was a success and I am looking forward to pursue research in Environmental Economics. </div>
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Saahilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728369056878076023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353241164745358990.post-86334440931352258372012-03-31T20:43:00.000+05:302013-05-13T11:25:07.026+05:30Car-Plane, Road Plane or Flying Car...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Twenty two years
ago, a modern day flying car was built and operated by a certain Canadian
engineer. He revealed that such an idea need not be a concept and flew his M400
at an altitude of 20 meters. Catering to modern day transport dilemma (a
growing concern even in 1989) he opined that a vertiport shall provide
solutions to urban transport. This is at the cost of rising petrol prices, ear
tearing noise levels, safety risks, low fuel economy and a whopping initial
market price of one million dollar a car. Paul Moller's Skycar never became
legal and imagining someone paying a million dollars on a flying experiment,
they would rather spend that on a McLaren.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> In 2004,
BBC published an article titled '<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3676694.stm">Flying cars swoop to the rescue</a>' deriving an
alternative use of the car- plane. A resourceful piece from the article -
"When you try to combine them you get the worst of both worlds: a very
heavy, slow, expensive vehicle that's hard to use," said Mark Moore, head
of the personal air vehicle (PAV) division of the vehicle systems program at
Nasa's Langley Research Centre in Hampton, US. NASA aspired to develop
sustainable means of smaller capacity planes. They aimed to develop technology
such that small sized planes would fly as silent as a motorcycle, by 2009. All
of this is indicative of efficient alternative source of dual passenger air
travel.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Flying Cars of the Past, Present, and Future</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Today,
after decades since the thought of a car plane conceptualized and watching
Chiity Chitty Bang Bang, a tech firm, Terrafugia, based in Woburn,
Massachusetts is on the way to selling its first commercial road plane -
Transition. With tests already taken place, this is no concept and aims to go
on sale by end of 2012. The model aims at promoting air travel and specifically
to those who wish to acquire a pilot’s licence. As the name suggests the model
would work as an airplane and an automobile, hereby a pilot would not have to
change vehicle during flight or on road. No wonder, already 100 Transition
models have already been booked. Overlooking fuel economy of 14.9 kilo meters a
litre on land and a range 643 kilo meters in air, companies must pay strict
attention to safety measures. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.terrafugia.com/">Transition</a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Development
in the field of safety standards in air travel, automobiles or
"flight-mobiles" in the twenty first century is largely going to advance
through sensor technology. We must realize that even though these vehicles are
designed to run on petrol, personal air transport is proving to be take form in
a big way. The American companies have paved the way and found a practical
solution to an alternate source of transport. Hopefully such engineering
marvels sustain and are seen in significant numbers in a year from today.</span></div>
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Saahilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728369056878076023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353241164745358990.post-73367649760955404462012-03-22T20:13:00.001+05:302012-03-22T20:15:44.793+05:30Second Generation Biofuels – Economists and Politicians<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">In a continuation to the previously mentioned entry
about second generation biofuels, over here, I have attached two pages from the
same report. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It highlights a direction for economists and
politicians who could take steps towards making biofuel more readily
available and acceptable at mass level.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>Saahilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728369056878076023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353241164745358990.post-72626880516807547382012-03-22T18:22:00.001+05:302012-03-22T18:22:45.968+05:30Second Generation Bio-fuels in Switzerland<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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month I was given a synopsis report of Future Perspectives of 2<sup>nd</sup>
Generation Biofuels. It is a study conducted by <a href="http://www.ta-swiss.ch/en/">Centre for Technology Assessment</a>
in Switzerland. Here, I read an interesting piece on various types of 2G or
second generation biofuels. It is interesting to learn how science and research
is progressing and looking at new and rare means to launch alternative forms of
biofuel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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thought that struck my mind was really to understand what first generation bio
fuels are. It is the conventional production of biofuel through sugar, starch
and vegetable oil. There are limits to its contribution as an alternative fuel,
as after a certain point it proves a threat to biodiversity and food crops.
Also, the economics does not make much sense as it is not very cheap in
comparison to oil.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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right from the textbook. I hope the accompanied images make this entry an
interesting read. The various sorts of second generation biofuels include –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Slurry and
Manure – Achieved from raising livestock, this material is very cheap to
procure. It is economical and technically possible to produce and is available
in large quantities across Switzerland. The country produces 0.1 petajoules of
biofuel and has a potential of over 21 petajoules. As a whole, the potential
capacity is equal to energy obtained by burning 716,000 tonnes of hard coal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Organic Waste –
Three quarters of organic waste in Switzerland is used to produce energy, 89%
in refuse incineration plants and 11% in biogas plants. The only drawback of
organic waste as a source of biofuel is that it requires specific plants and
technology to process.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Fallen trees –
Fuel can be produced through felled round timber, sawmill waste or other timber
demolition waste. In 2007 2.2 million cubic meters of total felled timber was
used to produce fuel. In the near future this number would rise to 3.1 million
cubic meters in Switzerland. Also, the country has a potential capacity of 1.2
million tonnes of waste wood to produce fuel from the existing 1 million. The
specific drawback of timber from demolition waste is rigid usage and processing
requires large plants with appropriate filters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Straw – As a
raw material, straw is found in small quantities as a whole, across
Switzerland. In 2006 the Swiss straw crop amounted to about 58,000 tonnes. It
is found in the form of manure in farms and can be directly used to produce
biofuel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Exotics –
Miscanthus, a plant which is efficient in photosynthesis and thus highly
productive is found largely in the USA. In Switzerland, the climatic conditions
make it capable of growing Miscanthus. Once sown, the plant can be used for 25
years. The only drawback is that it has limited flexibility in cultivation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/69/Miscanthus_sinensis_ja01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/69/Miscanthus_sinensis_ja01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/69/Miscanthus_sinensis_ja01.jpg">Miscanthus</a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Finally we must
realize that biofuel is a major potential fuel in automobiles. It is mentioned in the report that “increased vehicle efficiency could substantially
improve the outcome for biofuels” also “for efficient vehicle technology to be
able to help biofuels to replace a substantial proportion of fossil fuels,
lower fuel consumption must not be (over)compensated by more frequent and
longer journeys.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>Saahilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728369056878076023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353241164745358990.post-46338914871688992282012-02-29T22:57:00.001+05:302012-02-29T22:57:58.467+05:30Back to Basics<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today is the last day of February, it also happens to be "leap" day, 29th February, 2012.<br />
<br />
I would like to conclude this month with two very interesting videos that have caught my eye.<br />
<br />
The first video is a <a href="http://www.good.is/magazine">GOOD Magazine</a> production. It cites examples of sustainable transport across cities -<br />
<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/-EMeaInns7s?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
This video is part of IBM initiative, <a href="http://www-03.ibm.com/innovation/us/thesmartercity/index_flash.html?cmp=agus_brsmartcity-20090929&cm=p&csr=smcityvan2&cr=smcityvan2&ct=usbrp111#/home/">TheSmarterCity</a>. It emphasizes on transport working as a collective system -<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/bUyourDcWzw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I hope viewers learn something new out of these two videos.</div>
</div>Saahilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728369056878076023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353241164745358990.post-79883519399833219702012-02-10T00:14:00.000+05:302012-02-10T00:14:55.481+05:30CityCar to Hiriko<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In 1970s, American director Stanley Kubrick began groundwork on a
film with a futuristic idea. At that point in time computers failed to produce
effective science fiction imagery. He shared his thoughts on the topic with
American science fiction director Stephen Spielberg and in 2001, Artificial
Intelligence was released. Sadly, Stanley Kubrick had passed away in 1999. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">
Another American story sharing resemblance took place on the north-eastern
coast. Beginning in 2003, urban designer </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">William John
Mitchell developed an idea for urban mobility at </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Massachusetts</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"> Institute of Technology’s MIT Media Lab. The idea was to create
“Mobility-on-Demand” service. This was also the year when crude oil prices took
off on a four year flight towards energy crisis. Planned as an all electric
urban mobility automobile, the CityCar was born as Hiriko in Spain translating
to ‘urban’, in 2010.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/hiriko-stretch-open-pinch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/hiriko-stretch-open-pinch.jpg" width="181" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><a href="http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/hiriko-stretch-open-pinch.jpg">Hiriko</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The 100% electric vehicle is partially a
robot. The wheels operate by individual motors making them turn 360 degrees.
This enables optimum utilization of road space while parking and has zero radiuses
turning circle. Once parked the car folds. The fold enables three such cars to
park in place of one midsized automobile. This is a first of its kind in the
smart car space. The vehicle is meant for intercity conveyance and has capacity
of 120 kilo meters on a single charge. On a trial basis the first 20 vehicles
are set for launch in 2013 within Basque. It would begin off similar to the
established bicycle sharing programme across Europe; later Hiriko would be sold
at mass level.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Hiriko Driving Mobility is a consortium of seven technology
companies in Basque, Spain. They have worked in creating the first prototype,
released at European Union headquarters in Brussels this January. Massachusetts</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"> Institute of Technology is where the initial idea took shape. Though, the
creator Mr. Mitchell passed away in June 2010.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://0.gvt0.com/vi/CYdkdQa_oNg/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CYdkdQa_oNg&fs=1&source=uds" />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">His concept of Mobility-on-Demand originated from MIT Media Lab. It
fulfils point to point travel within a city. The execution from concept to
reality is aimed to benefit those individuals who cannot afford or chose not to
own a personal vehicle. Also, it acts as personal public transport for
passengers in the city and those who come from outside. The next question draws
attention towards supply side efficiency. Within two years from today is it
going to be possible to build infrastructure capable to support rising number
of electric vehicles? One such project is taking place in France. Mister
Vincent Bollore, an industrialist has worked on developing rechargeable
batteries for electric cars. The mayor of Paris, <span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Bertrand Delanöe</span> designed Autolib, a car sharing
scheme. The Bollore Group has won contract to run Autolib. The ‘Bluecar’ under
this programme was launched at Frankfurt Motor Show</span><span style="text-align: left;"> in 2011 and 3000
such initial launches are going to be supported by 1120 charging stations
within the city.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Keeping supporting funds, income
earned, retail price and cost of such projects aside its most note worthy to
realize that such developments are happening at this point in time. It is a
time where oil prices always seem to be auctioned. This has prompted countries
to act in a way to prevent energy insecurity. Countries around are the world
are playing their role in reducing impact of transport on environment. The
innovative means to reduce transport impact is creating new markets in the
process, new economics and unimagined heights of scientific progress. I am
curious to see what next.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>Saahilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728369056878076023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353241164745358990.post-71513254736914818482012-02-06T00:54:00.000+05:302012-02-06T00:54:32.094+05:30McLaren F1 for Airlines<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Depending on the way you see, London Heathrow Airport breaks into the
top three slots under World’s busiest airport. With an average of 167,000
international flight travellers daily, the airport is now facing environmental
concerns. Due to heavy traffic in the airport, flights scheduled to land emit roughly
600 tonnes of carbon dioxide circulating air borne; this has been revealed by National
Air Traffic Services, also what about emissions on ground, while preparing to
take off? McLaren Applied Technologies the entity concerned with race
strategies for its team has been called upon to design a performance based grid
this would change structure of the airport in order to reduce emissions in air
and on the ground.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://joesaward.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/mclaren-factory.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="http://joesaward.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/mclaren-factory.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://joesaward.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/mclaren-factory.png">McLaren Applied Technologies</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">As seen on the track precession is most crucial. Efficiency in pit
stop recovery marks brownie points for a team. An entire army of engineers,
software scientists, mechanics and the drivers make the team successful in
their venture; this army could be on lines with the entire functioning of this
airport. The software called Marple developed by Geoff McGrath for McLaren is
the proposed system to be used. It simplifies the view of the object in
question. The new design produced is based on heavy data collection from NATS. Here,
the airport is transformed from its current geometrical shape into an efficient
and simplified rectangular design. Improvement in design structure is the name
of the game.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">A reduction in taxing period, minimizes delays, improves overall
efficiency of the airport and as a result reduction of environmental impact of
such an airport proves as a model for upcoming international airports. Daily
emissions of around 1800 tonnes of carbon dioxide prove as a hazard to this
region of London. This model is set to be in complete application by airports
around the world in a year’s time. The largest benefits of this design aid are
going to be seen in Beijing, Daxing Airport which is projected to have capacity of 120
to 200 million passengers every year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
</div>Saahilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728369056878076023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353241164745358990.post-60617484862251585072012-02-04T21:02:00.000+05:302012-02-04T21:02:08.943+05:30The Future of Train Travel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">My
cell phone alarm went off and I switched on CNN, this was some day towards the
end of 2011. I had made a note to watch this sustainable transport programme
called ‘On the Move’. The most interesting revelation I came across on this
show, and it had been long since I had seen something so appealing in the field
of future transport, was the work of a London based design house.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Visionary
designer and director Paul Priestman of <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.priestmangoode.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Priestmangoode</span></a>
has proposed concept of ‘Moving Platforms’. It is the definition of next
generation rail transport. The creation of moveable docking station asks for
whole new model in transport economics. Such is the ideation of future rail
transport – no physical railway station, docking port on wheels and single mode
of intercity travel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">To define very clearly, ‘Moving Platforms’ works by having a
network of city wide trams. The trams act as the physical station where
passengers would board, in order to meet with the train of their destination.
Although, as the tram is intra city mode of transport what we are really
looking at is a cross city travel plan, where the tram links with the train on
the border of a particular city before zipping back. The train being a high
speed train makes the exchange of passengers by levelling speeds with the tram
and proceeds with its journey. The concept works in the same way when the
transfer is from train to tram, in order to reach the final destination.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/aWd2w0Gnylc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p><a href="http://www.priestmangoode.com/transport/">Moving Platforms</a></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">‘Dock’ as it is called, is the key word for the revolutionary transit
in rail technology. As the tram would act as platform there would not be a need
for a physical cement and tar railway platform. There would be immense saving
in city space. Infrastructure would be different. There is proposed use of
radio-frequency identification. Also there would be fewer crowds at current day
major stations. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">On the other hand, this project acts as setting for making rail
primary mode of public transportation. In time, cabs, busses and rickshaws
would phase out. There would be reduction in consumption of oil. There would be
a shift in dependence on conventional sources of energy. In order to make this
concept into reality various machineries must integrate. World governments must
realize the potential in investing in such an idea. Masses must understand the
benefits of such change in transport technology. One such example is the
investment in HSR by China. They aim to have more high speed rail lines combining
all lines in the world by end of 2012.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The economics for such technology could work either way. In
conclusion we must realize the need to get off non renewable sources of energy
at the earliest. Such a vision might just work wonders. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>Saahilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728369056878076023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353241164745358990.post-39529983975882260042012-02-03T00:27:00.000+05:302013-06-08T22:01:58.019+05:30European Union’s Transport Challenge<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">As of New Year 2012, Europe has proposed three very wise initiatives in
the green transport spectrum –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Levy a charge
on foreign airline emissions flying to and fro the Union<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Reduce overall
carbon intensity of the region by 6% by 2020<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Aim to implement
total of 10% green fuel for transport sector by 2020 including hydrogen, electricity
and biofuels. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Now, what is the reason for world governments and energy
companies to detest such foresight?</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.airportregions.org/wp-content/uploads/eu-flag-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://www.airportregions.org/wp-content/uploads/eu-flag-web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.airportregions.org/wp-content/uploads/eu-flag-web.jpg">Future of European Aviation</a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">There is a thin link between the three goals. Air transport emissions
contribute to a total of 2-3% of global carbon emissions. In order to minimise
the scale of these emissions the European Union Emission Trading Scheme objectives
come into play. Hereby, following a cap and trade system, European transport
emissions can be minimized. Foreign airlines would be forced to buy carbon
credits. A charge on foreign airline emissions has been taken as an insult by
foreign governments. Also, airlines are required to reduce emissions by 3% by
2012 and 5% by 2013. The implementation and inclusion of aviation industry in
the ETS would cost the industry four billion Euros by 2020. This is a crucial
step as 21% of EU emissions are from the transport sector.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Another objective is reduction in carbon intensity by a
certain percentage, this is a little tricky. In order to reduce carbon
intensity in all industries there must be minimal dependence on petrol or diesel.
The alternative and most sensible choice available to Europe has been found in biofuels.
This for sure has made companies such as BP, Shell and the massive Canadian tar
sands upset. There has been investment by firms in biofuels. On the other hand, due to heavy dependence on tropical forests for
biofuels, Europe has found itself in a maze.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Biofuels are not as green as projected. Targetting 10% of fuels being renewable or sustainable in nature in the transport sector by
2020 remains a challenge. It would be interesting to see the planting of
policies in the years to come. European initiatives and results work as an eye
opener for the rest of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Saahilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728369056878076023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353241164745358990.post-74164663066560545472012-02-02T00:00:00.000+05:302012-02-02T00:00:04.172+05:30Beijing Transport Policy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In 2009, the capital of China alone squeezed in 4.7 million odd motor
vehicles, largely speaking of private owned automobiles. It is unfortunate that
this number will grow to seven million vehicles by end of this year. The high
rate of urbanization due to growing economy has resulted in household level
expansion. Here, I will list a number of measures the government is going to
implement in order to reduce impact of traffic congestion on health and well
being. It is interesting to note that in Beijing 70% of population has faced
traffic so bad at least one time that they were forced to return back home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ph.cdn.photos.upi.com/sv/ph/UPI-47881324568367/0ef2121d58394869c751ec46f2ee8c79/China-reports-massive-vehicle-emissions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://ph.cdn.photos.upi.com/sv/ph/UPI-47881324568367/0ef2121d58394869c751ec46f2ee8c79/China-reports-massive-vehicle-emissions.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><a href="http://ph.cdn.photos.upi.com/sv/ph/UPI-47881324568367/0ef2121d58394869c751ec46f2ee8c79/China-reports-massive-vehicle-emissions.jpg">Beijing Traffic Congestion</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In 2010 alone the social cost of congestion to residents of Beijing
has been between 80 to 190 billion Yuan. The municipal government has targeted the
private car owner by making public transit system more attractive. The busses
remain the backbone of the city despite low speeds. This is being worked on by
introducing additional lanes, smart cards, improved busses, reduced fares, less
time consuming bus routes and specific bus lanes. A BRT system would bring
eight million additional daily passengers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">If this would not be enough, there would have to be parking fees
implemented. It’s only sensible to charge for parking in public space as the
owner would think twice before using his automobile. The other way to implement
is by making parking fees a law and reducing the number of parking spaces. This
would also increase the charges. In the 11<sup>th</sup> five year plan there
are plans to build 26 Park-and-Ride centres.
On a similar note is to probably implement usage based toll scheme.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The Olympic Games has imposed a car ban in its locality and it was
successful. Though it would be difficult impose something similar on a daily
basis. Thus since beginning of 2011 the government has introduced a limit on
car licenses to 20,000 permits a month. This was at a time when there were five
million eligible applications sent across. Shanghai is the only city to successfully
implement license plate auctioning. A possibility to devise a policy of one car
per family might prove beneficial. Also, non-Beijing residents must own an
apartment and get a parking permit before being allowed to buy a car.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/16/Yikatong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/16/Yikatong.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/16/Yikatong.jpg">Yikatong</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">All in all these policies are yet not highly successful with
growing incomes and private vehicle being sign of status symbol. In my opinion
there must be political initiative to make masses aware the ill effects of
vehicle congestion. Not only will it affect health but also the very standard
of living of the growing middle class. <span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span></span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Beijing Municipal Administration and
Communications Card<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span></span></span>or Yikatong is a means
to relax social mindset towards using public transport. It can be used for subway lines, public city buses, Beijing airport express
train and also long distance bus routes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Traffic Demand Management Policy work in time, for Beijing
toppled USA in becoming the world’s largest automobile market in 2009.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>Saahilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728369056878076023noreply@blogger.com0Versova, Andheri East, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India19.13844 72.81218719.123438999999998 72.792446 19.153441 72.831927999999991tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353241164745358990.post-46175673853688695542011-12-31T19:35:00.000+05:302011-12-31T19:35:05.166+05:30Electric Way Forward<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Only recently I picked up the latest issue of Forbes India magazine and with the cover page mentioning ‘The Biggest Questions of 2012’ I knew it would be worth a flip.</span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To me, the most eye catching article or answer to the future was an interview with Renault-Nissan CEO, Carlos Ghosn. My friend from the magazine, Ashish Mishra was in correspondence for the article.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.automotiveit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/ghosn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://www.automotiveit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/ghosn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mr. Carlos Ghosn</span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As per my observation Asian economies are growing. This is backed by flowering Asian demand and a capability to fulfil these demands. The direction and nature of these demands must be wise and should act as a winner for everyone. The electric car perspective – </span></span></div><br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">By 2020 there would be 100 million cars produced a year</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In 2010, less than 20,000 were electric cars out of the 75 million fresh purchases</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In 2012 Renault-Nissan would introduce four new electric cars </span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Same year over 20,000 Nissan LEAF would be produced</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">By 2015 Renault-Nissan would have sold 1.5 million electric vehicles</span></span></li>
</ul><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The big question – how long before mass production of electric vehicles?<br />
<br />
The answer lies in emerging economies says Mr. Ghosn. There would have to be creation in demand for renewable sources of energy. This is one of the reasons why governments are encouraging citizens to buy cars that can run on multiple fuel sources. This is best suited for electric cars, as today; they can run on nuclear, solar, wind and even geothermal energy.</span></span></div></div>Saahilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728369056878076023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353241164745358990.post-8095515972823421082011-10-18T11:23:00.000+05:302011-10-18T11:26:22.635+05:30Lighter is Greener<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">The world is amidst an economic meltdown. There is piercing inflation across continents. Economies are struggling to maintain their growth rates. In the middle of all this, who would really want to spend on automobiles?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">A smart way to keep auto sales going is by proving that they are green, sustainable and cheap (or at least affordable), all at the same time. A way to accomplish all three at once is by reducing the unessential weight of the car off the car. Maruti Suzuki in India saved Rs 147 crore by one gram weight reduction on auto components. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Here are few examples to prove a different sort of auto industry in the future. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNezWLdlsOLafd_RG0CDAu2RXlKSbD1Dlo7ZeyOOaDx59DBdz-V6FS1GWcAI-Z2xeL9iCAONqPJasqYryFgQ4eSn132MUkP7Qh16Y0T_0cmvDQCzLMZa-aud0NpkofKY8R0IPySf1CRNM/s1600/Lighter+is+Greener.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNezWLdlsOLafd_RG0CDAu2RXlKSbD1Dlo7ZeyOOaDx59DBdz-V6FS1GWcAI-Z2xeL9iCAONqPJasqYryFgQ4eSn132MUkP7Qh16Y0T_0cmvDQCzLMZa-aud0NpkofKY8R0IPySf1CRNM/s640/Lighter+is+Greener.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-GB">The image is a scan from today's (18-18-2011) Economic Times</span></div></div></div>Saahilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728369056878076023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353241164745358990.post-12905308419842234502011-08-04T12:23:00.000+05:302011-08-04T12:23:01.124+05:30Mayor Arturas Zuokas shows no one greater than Law<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, has a mayor no one would want to mess with. This is a video release by the mayor, showing the means in which law teaches a lesson to the ones breaking the law.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/JHmesVibyXc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<br />
Towards the end, the car owner finds to his astonishment, he does not own a Mercedes no more. All of this for faulty parking in the bicycle lane. The humble mayor helps in cleaning up the glass pieces scattered.<br />
<br />
</div>Saahilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728369056878076023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353241164745358990.post-90381415274550126822011-07-29T17:11:00.000+05:302011-07-29T17:11:02.126+05:30Europe’s Action for Public Transport<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span closure_uid_kuemke="104" style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span> <div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_kuemke="176" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">While in Delhi last month I had a copy of The New York Times saved for me. It’s real amazing, the kind of initiatives Europe is taking to actually minimize CO2 emissions and improve conditions for pedestrians, cyclists, public transport networks and even local business.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span closure_uid_kuemke="137" style="font-family: Calibri;">The article titled, <a href="http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E06E7DE1630F934A15755C0A9679D8B63&ref=elisabethrosenthal">‘Traffic Torments, By Design’</a> by Elisabeth Rosenthal is the article in reference. It gives a multi dimensional view on the happenings to make road conditions unbearable for private vehicle owners while at the same time, cites examples of infrastructure designed to boost public transport efforts.</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Copenhagen, Munich and Vienna have closed significant road space for car traffic</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Barcelona and Paris have had car lanes taken over by bike sharing programs</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">London and Stockholm seem to have created a toll for drivers entering heart of the city</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">German cities have bonded by creating ‘environmental zones’ where only low carbon emitting vehicles are permitted</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Zurich has an increase in number of red light signals which are closely spaced</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The city’s tram system can switch traffic lights to their favour to stop car traffic</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" closure_uid_kuemke="113" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">91% of all Swiss Parliament delegates take the tram to work</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pps.org/graphics/upo-pages/bhs18_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="http://www.pps.org/graphics/upo-pages/bhs18_large.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" closure_uid_kuemke="113" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" closure_uid_kuemke="113" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.pps.org/graphics/upo-pages/bhs18_large.jpg">Trams in Switzerland</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Looking at the economics of man v/s automobile, nothing seems fair. An individual occupies three cubic meters of space whereas a car takes up 115 cubic meters of urban space in Zurich. Looking further, once road space is made unofficial for automobiles, the number of pedestrians naturally increase, this improves the business for stores.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In my understanding, it’s the attitude of the people towards one other and the environment which matters. Calculating changes in man built environments is practical in order to save the environment. Above mentioned initiatives should be taken as a deliberate push for change. We are worth more than luxury emissions. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div></div>Saahilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728369056878076023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353241164745358990.post-36408712209508554132011-07-24T15:21:00.000+05:302011-07-24T15:21:18.326+05:30China's actions towards sustainability<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMDSvKxKm3FhaRnO9t0s-EN9fKnK2Do8aTaW1s4Pw9hEgpyezrd3yDz9pE9N0GSL-DtEqfkqg4rTXIP75665tTYTF7z5pSNtIIxzFIVYthTwifceFe1euJEoO7LurQiPoN5hmrVhCa5fc/s1600/aiweiwei_maps_of_china.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMDSvKxKm3FhaRnO9t0s-EN9fKnK2Do8aTaW1s4Pw9hEgpyezrd3yDz9pE9N0GSL-DtEqfkqg4rTXIP75665tTYTF7z5pSNtIIxzFIVYthTwifceFe1euJEoO7LurQiPoN5hmrVhCa5fc/s320/aiweiwei_maps_of_china.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
Last week I came across a brilliant link. This link is about the various opportunities China is seizing to convert into a sustainable green economy.<br />
<br />
The link - <a href="http://green.in.msn.com/specials/green_photos.aspx?cp-documentid=5274202">Clean Technology</a><br />
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The above also happens to culminate into strong reasons for anyone to learn Chinese.</div>Saahilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728369056878076023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353241164745358990.post-17663089934249567272011-07-22T13:09:00.000+05:302011-07-22T13:18:02.980+05:30Interview with Sandeep Gandhi on Delhi BRT<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">As part of the Center for Science and Environment, Agenda for Survival course we had to publish a magazine. My contribution to the magazine was an interview on Delhi's public transport system. I had interviewed Bus Raped Transit system expert <a href="http://www.samarthyam.org/sandeep_gandhi.pdf">Sandeep Gandhi</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzb1olExEJR1N4md0YRFvjnIy_ZlwTV1i8f-2iS3Anz2-6v6VaV9Rs6_QVu1LshLdQBCA1_OwGCkeSCVFECg50gQ9418TmkANmQwsu4KPjhNoi25u5jR6jmAfyt16tW0m_cvG1kLrXcs/s1600/scan0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzb1olExEJR1N4md0YRFvjnIy_ZlwTV1i8f-2iS3Anz2-6v6VaV9Rs6_QVu1LshLdQBCA1_OwGCkeSCVFECg50gQ9418TmkANmQwsu4KPjhNoi25u5jR6jmAfyt16tW0m_cvG1kLrXcs/s640/scan0005.jpg" width="460" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0C-i4Mjrb_pMHUPDgoCAP6YGj0VHIq138fzPGQ12FrAJB6nXz8KNUBrbTPA7q1jutYmWkgghhZCtnXGV7d7keWs66u9FMyZZQDD4fjRFrYWSrQ3Vyus8ID7ykwPB9DtsRfmHZv-ntzM/s1600/scan0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0C-i4Mjrb_pMHUPDgoCAP6YGj0VHIq138fzPGQ12FrAJB6nXz8KNUBrbTPA7q1jutYmWkgghhZCtnXGV7d7keWs66u9FMyZZQDD4fjRFrYWSrQ3Vyus8ID7ykwPB9DtsRfmHZv-ntzM/s640/scan0006.jpg" width="460" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Additional direct link to interview on C.S.E website -<a href="http://cseindia.org/agenda2011/sustainable_transport.htm"> BRT Interview</a></div></div>Saahilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728369056878076023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353241164745358990.post-11748817960258321962011-07-21T17:08:00.000+05:302011-07-21T17:08:20.168+05:30Vehicular Pollution in Urban Areas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><country-region><place>India</place></country-region>’s established urban populations are busy spear heading our nation into the world’s third largest economy. This progress would carry forward even at the cost of the environment. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Our actions towards green transport must be heightened. <city><place>Delhi</place></city> has 4.5 million registered vehicles while Gurgaon in the last one year had 50,000 additional registered vehicles on roads. None of the following have any trace of absolute green technology. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_dg5pck="254" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">There is a need for vehicular emissions to be controlled by proper inspection and monitoring systems. Also, fuel adulteration must be ceased. Source apportionment studies must be implemented to deal with transport related pollution in cities. While Bharat Stage III vehicles are enforced in all cities there must be right policies to enforce Bharat Stage IV fuel across India, at the earliest. The latest fuel emits only 1.8 grams of carbon monoxide per kilo meter. </div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_dg5pck="254" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_dg5pck="242" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pricesofindia.com/car/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/maruti-swift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="http://www.pricesofindia.com/car/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/maruti-swift.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_dg5pck="250" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <a closure_uid_dg5pck="189" href="http://www.pricesofindia.com/car/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/maruti-swift.jpg">Swift BS IV</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_dg5pck="250" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Eventually to realize change there must be effective environmental governance. There must be the correct knowledge amongst masses and the government to support clean fuels and technology. This would be sustained by development projects. Pressure groups, activists and strength of masses must work towards such change </div><div closure_uid_dg5pck="243" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div></div>Saahilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728369056878076023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353241164745358990.post-63420290568444475872011-07-20T17:22:00.000+05:302011-07-20T17:22:12.013+05:30Public Transport Perception<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">In India, roads are designed as per the needs of the private automobile user. This is clearly a one sided approach and partially the reason behind which there are maximum road transport hurdles.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">The solution to clear road related transport issues is by simply looking at the number of people travelling in public transport versus number of individuals using private vehicles against the given utilized capacity of that vehicle at a given point of time. On average in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Bangalore 45% of the trips are less than 5 kilo meters. This proves threat to available land space for modes of public transport.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.livemint.com/images/A2C9C70E-5582-4064-8B10-FD423ACD086EArtVPF.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.livemint.com/images/A2C9C70E-5582-4064-8B10-FD423ACD086EArtVPF.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB"> <a href="http://www.livemint.com/images/A2C9C70E-5582-4064-8B10-FD423ACD086EArtVPF.gif">Delhi BRT</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">In Kolkata 6% of land is under land network and in Delhi it is 21% of the land space. So for example, in Delhi, average speed of vehicles is 11 kilo meters an hour though for the Bus Rapid Transit system the average speed is 20 kilo meters an hour. This might not be a great comparison though with 75% vehicles being privately owned in Delhi, this only caters to 33% of the population and this is a reason to invest in the improvement of public transport infrastructure. </span></div>Saahilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728369056878076023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353241164745358990.post-763178482613776642011-07-14T23:34:00.000+05:302011-07-14T23:34:24.446+05:30India's Energy-Transport MatrixThe entire month of June I was in New Delhi attending a month long fellowship on India's environmental concerns organized by the <a href="http://www.cseindia.org/">Center for Science and Environment</a> titled Agenda for Survival. This post as well as various following posts are going to be about certain interesting leanings from the course.<br />
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The key message of the matrix is, to shift towards sustainable practices and simultaneously avoid future emissions.<br />
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India's Integrated Energy Policy, 2006 frames an analysis considering India's growth at 8-10% annually. Such growth calls for an increase in India's electricity supply six fold to meet Millennium Development Goals. This also means an increase in primary energy supply four fold. Now if coal is going to be the primary energy source in India till 2030, there is an urgent need to understand and shift to renewable sources of energy. India also happens to import nearly 75% of its crude oil energy. The transport part of the matrix comes in at this point.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://chinaenergysector.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/coal_hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://chinaenergysector.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/coal_hands.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://chinaenergysector.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/coal_hands.jpg">The Matrix?</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>What do we do to make our cars more fuel efficient?<br />
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In India, the automobile industry is trying to buy itself time. This time would delay the switch from Bharat Stage IV to V and further improved standards, the equivalent to Euro auto emission standards. This is being done as auto car manufacturers have other better concerns.<br />
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The possibility of greening current fleet of vehicles on roads is very high. This is the understanding - All auto companies follow the law of the land. Thus, same car in two different countries would have separate fuel economies. Indian auto manufacturers do sell else where around the world. At this point they must follow the standards set on foreign land. Though the companies are not interested in being philanthropic.<br />
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Getting back directly to the point of coal manufacturing. Cars in India, are the second largest users of diesel. Even if there is an increase in large cars running on diesel by 10% in India, it would lead to disastrous irreversible effects. Solutions such as bio fuels from cellulose can reduce green house gasses by 50-80% . Yet bio fuels require large amounts of land, threat to agricultural production and create concerns of food security. Solar power costs Rs. 20 per kilo watt and hour of energy. Creating market for solar power would reduce prices and cost on the buyers end, this is a smart thing to do.<br />
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The facts are before us, life cycle assessment could prove resourceful in such a case. Though, we must realize that our dependency on coal power must be minimized and this is urgent.Saahilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728369056878076023noreply@blogger.com0