transportation
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TransportationKristen Garrity
Julie Kittka
Why Is Transportation Important?
Transportation plays an important role in many aspects of society
1. Economy
2. Social
3. Political
4. Environmental
Economic Role of Transportation
Improvement of transportationGoods can be cheaper for the customerProduction of goods can be mobilized
Social Role of Transportation
Formation of SettlementsEarliest settlements were near major bodies of water
Size and Pattern of SettlementsDetermines distance between the home and the
workplace
Growth of Urban CentersCities developed around transportation lines
Political Role of Transportation
Administration of an Area Government must be able to communicate information Administration of laws and security
Political Movement Military movement Movement of people
(Wall Street Journal 8/25/11)
Environmental Role of Transportation
Safety Increased number of deaths and injuries Increased vehicle speeds and densities
Air PollutionGlobal Warming/ Ozone Depletion
Burning fossil fuels
Noise Pollution
Energy ConsumptionConsumes more than half of petroleum products
History of Transportation
Can be broken down into three main sections1. Coal
2. Petroleum
3. Electricity and other clean alternatives
Coal
Establishment of blast furnace Cast iron
Steam Engine
External Combustion
Engine
http://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/engines-equipment/steam1.htm
Petroleum
As a fuel Allowed for the massive
development of internal combustion engine
Internal Combustion Two- Stroke Engine Four- Stroke Engine
http://
www.howstuffworks.com/engine1.htm
Mass Production of Automobiles
Introduction of the assembly line
Model T in DetroitBecame so popular and accessible that
infrastructure needed to grow with it
http://www.hfmgv.org/exhibits/showroom/1908/specs.html
Development of Infrastructure
Asphalt useDerived from petroleum
Development in bus routes and roads
Increase in number of highwaysFederal Aid Highway Act of 1956
Aided in America’s suburbanization movementMade commutes easierLead to compounding vehicle pollution problemsExcessive petroleum use problems
http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/llt/57/belisle.html
Problems with Current Transportation System (Petroleum)
Global warmingEmission of greenhouse gasses
CO2 inevitably created by burning fuels like oil and diesel
Climate changeMore erratic and extreme weather
SecurityDependence on foreign nationsGlobal security at risk
www.epa.gov/climatechange/
Alternative Transportation Methods
Biofuel
Electric
Hydrogen Fuel Cells
How will they help
Biofuel
Sustainable
Reduces dependence on foreign oil
Less greenhouse gases
Transitional
Wouldn’t completely eliminate CO2
Net carbon absorber
http://needtoknow.nas.edu/energy/energy-sources/emerging-technologies/biofuels.php
Biofuel
EthanolCorn-basedLand, water, fertilizer, energy2/3 used to produce fuel itself
Competition for land use
http://needtoknow.nas.edu/energy/energy-sources/emerging-technologies/biofuels.php
Processing Corn to Ethanol
Fermentation
Starches into alcohol
“Gasohol” – 90% gasoline, 10% ethanol
Possible to use ethanol for fuel cells
http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/RENEW/Biomass/biofuels.shtml
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
Advanced Biofuels
Algal Biodiesel
Biobutanol
http://needtoknow.nas.edu/energy/energy-sources/emerging-technologies/biofuels.php
Electric
No CO2 emissions
Now – expensive, unreliable, not enough energy
PHEV – Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles
Recharge at own house
CO2 emissions – electricity used to recharge vehicle produced at coal-powered plants
http://needtoknow.nas.edu/energy/energy-sources/emerging-technologies/electric-vehicles.php
Nissan LEAF
100 miles per chargeWeather, distance, speed, cargo, topography
No tailpipe emissions
Lithium Ion Battery
Future – solar panels from SunPower
http://www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car/index#/leaf-electric-car/index
Toyota Prius Hybrid
Estimated 50 miles per gallon
Electric and gasoline
When stopped, gasoline engine shuts off
Started by electric power so no CO2 emissions
http://www.toyota.com/prius-hybrid/demos.html
Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Form H2O – reaction releases energy
Exhaust would be water vapor
Reduce dependence, increase security
Now – expensive, unreliable, no storage, no natural reserves, complicated extraction process
http://needtoknow.nas.edu/energy/energy-sources/emerging-technologies/hydrogen-fuel-cells.php
How Will They Help
Reduce CO2 emissions
Reduce reliance on foreign oil
Sustainable
Referenceshttp://needtoknow.nas.edu/energy/energy-sources/emerging-technologies/hydrogen-fuel-cells.php
http://needtoknow.nas.edu/energy/energy-sources/emerging-technologies/biofuels.php
http://needtoknow.nas.edu/energy/energy-sources/emerging-technologies/electric-vehicles.php
http://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/engines-equipment/steam1.htm
http://www.hfmgv.org/exhibits/showroom/1908/specs.html
http://www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car/index#/leaf-electric-car/indexhttp://
http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/hazards/storms_evaczones.shtml
http://www.toyota.com/prius-hybrid/demos.html
www.epa.gov/climatechange/
www.historycooperative.org/journals/llt/57/belisle.html
www.howstuffworks.com/engine1.htm