Smart Transportation

Over the last century

The increase in carbon emissions from gasoline burning machines, plants, and manufacturers has led to the worst climate change studies in history. Experts and experts have recognized the real challenge of climate change, naming transportation as one of the major causes, responsible for about one-fifth of global carbon emissions (Cannon and Sperling, p.1). In this case, transportation applies to most, if not all, recognized forms; sea, river, train, and air, as well as the various instruments used in these fields and at what amounts. Smart transportation, also referred to as sustainable transportation, is an initiative by global transportation bodies seeking to counter issues of the negative impact the industry has had on the environment, socially and climatically. Objectives of smart transportation include making engines more efficient regarding fuel consumption, weight, and aerodynamics and exploring other energy options other than non-renewable sources. Additionally, smart transportation seeks to reduce costs that come with attempting to clean up after erosion. Achievement of these objectives presents a unique opportunity to deal with emerging issues as they arise and manage to establish working systems that will stop and possibly reverse further damage to the environment. There are elements of smart transportation that guide the process and highlight the areas that research is focused on based on the ability to achieve set objectives. These items are partly restricted to the extent at which resources can be supplied by they set the pace and direction that should be followed.

Fuel Economy

Oil is one of the most consumed commodities in the world with profitable returns since the industrial revolution. It has, however, comes at a price. Its extraction has deprived the environment of essential minerals, and since these fuels are non-renewable, more and more extraction is done, worsening the state of the sources. Upon use, carbon emissions pollute the air, and non-biodegradable waste causes pollution after disposal, polluting the soil and water. There is high dependence on oil throughout the world and replacement is expensive.

Several solutions

Several solutions have not only been suggested but implemented as well in attempting to deal with the high fuel consumption of the vehicles on the roads. These solutions are based on the ability of the car’s components to reduce its ultimate consumption. Different theories have been applied to the weight and make of cars that have proven to work but on a small scale. More supercars are being manufactured using a lighter material such as aluminum and carbon fiber which have indeed reduced fuel consumption in vehicles. Aerodynamic makes have been applied to vehicles, trains, and planes to account for physical factors that cause higher fuel consumption. Governments have set standards to deal with car manufacturing that guides this system towards a substantial fuel economy control level. An example is Japan who is major vehicle manufacturers (Iguchi, p.46).

Occupancy

Occupancy refers to the utilization of the given capacity of a particular vehicle. While some planes have a capacity with an excess of three hundred passengers, some have fewer than fifty. Trains also have a good holding capacity for travelers, as do ships. Automobiles have the widest range of ability levels. There are personal vehicles, public transport systems with buses and minivans. The issue arises when these public forms of transport, especially buses, do not carry their full capacity but emit just as much carbon which means more pollution. Where full capacity is utilized, the emissions may be similar, but they are at a significantly reduced level. Transport authorities are encouraging this on increasing number of public transport vehicles.

Electrification

Hybrid and fully electrical vehicles are vehicles that are powered by electric motors and rechargeable fuel cells that have a given lifetime. These cars are gaining rapid popularity with environmental campaigns around the globe. These cars are emitting incredibly low levels of carbon and are in mass production by major car manufacturers all around the world. Despite the complexity involved in the production, not to mention the expenses, the automobile industry is evolving into electrification in a bid to reduce levels of pollution and environmental damage in the world (Sperling 105). Additionally, electric trains in the main cities around the world have brought new low rates to carbon emissions because of their efficiency and low pollution. This is a trend that has salvaged considerable amounts of energy and improved the transport system in these cities.

Pedal Power and Urbanization

The power of disposing conventional methods of transport and embracing the more traditional ways of transportation such as walking and cycling takes the carbon emission to zero. City dwellers are being encouraged to purchase and use bicycles in their day-to-day movements which are not only beneficial to the environment but the health of the riders. Interesting statistics reveal that people living in urban centers have the least carbon footprint. What neutralizes this fact is a large number of individuals dwelling in cities which emit a significant aggregate amount of carbon. The proposed solution is more urbanization and extension of advanced transport systems that will serve the developing areas.

Analysis

Saudi Arabia has been under extensive infrastructure development projects with a focus on transportation for the past couple of years. With very low fuel prices, Saudi Arabia would have a hard time implementing some of the smart transportation methods (U.S. Energy Information Administration p.118). Fuel economic methods would work well in this country due to sufficient resources to maintain modified vehicles to counter the high levels of carbon emissions that are recorded. Being a desert country, reduced levels of carbon will help the country improve environmental factors. The country has low rail transport infrastructure due to a high reliance on road and air travel. Advanced railway systems will greatly help deal with preserving the environment and is likely to improve the economic environment by providing new opportunities for investment and development. Electrification might be phased out as an option due to the undermining nature of Saudi Arabia’s primary resource; oil. Unless the implementation of electric motors and vehicles provides a substitute for the use of oil as fuel, the idea does not have full support. Urbanization is underway in the country, and with time, transport systems connecting these centers will be set up. This will have a positive social impact with better access to other parts of the country and a new method of transportation.

Smart transportation is evolving

Smart transportation is evolving and getting integrated into transport systems across the world. With thoughtful planning and resourcefulness, pollution will be reduced and eventually, global environmental conditions will be improved.

Works Cited

Cannon, James G., and Daniel Sperling. Reducing Climate Impacts in the Transportation Sector. Davis: Springer, 2009.

Iguchi, Masahiko. Convergence and Divergence of Automobile Fuel Economy Regulations. Kyoto: Springer, 2015.

Sperling, Daniel. Future Drive: Electric Vehicles and Sustainable Transportation. Washington DC: Island Press, 2005.

U.S. Energy Information Administration. International Energy Outlook. Washington DC: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2010.