Buscar: 

Steps in favour of the environment

The climatic change caused by the greenhouse effect of the polluting gases that derive from human activity is at the moment considered the greatest threat to the environment on a global scale. One of the main contamination factors is transport. Millions of exhaust pipes send thousands of tons of CO2 into the atmosphere every day. Over the cities a turbid mass of contaminated air that affects the health of its inhabitants can be observed from a distance. However not only is the required combustion to obtain the energy that moves vehicles detrimental to the environment, the pharaonic works necessary for the railway and motorway networks are also detrimental, because of the energy that they consume and their massive impact on the earth’s relief.

 

 

The complete computerization of transport offers the possibility of diminishing the harmful effects in all aspects, especially if it is carried out with good criterion.

With regards to the gas discharges responsible for the greenhouse effect, only one remedy exists: a decrease in combustions. In order to decrease combustions without renouncing the current customs of consumption we need to act on three fronts: to increase the percentage of non-polluting energies used, like wind and solar power; to take more efficient advantage of energy; to avoid wastefulness.

The computerization of transport entails automatic guidance on a track. Where there is a track there can, and must, be electrification. Electric engines do not have an exhaust pipe. The electricity that makes them work can come from non-polluting energies.

Computerized transport will take better advantage of energy and will fight wastefulness because its main ability consists of the combination of data for the supply and demand of transport. A high percentage of private trips will become pre-arranged door-to-door trips. Instead of the so common and so polluting image of the person who goes to work in his/her private car every day crossing a city congested with traffic, we will see that person gathered at the door of his/her home by a 15-seater vehicle shared with other users. He/she will be quickly taken to the door of their work in the fluid traffic that the electrified computer network of transport coordinates.

Widespread electrification will cause the level of air pollution in the cities to fall radically.

As far as the dimensions of infrastructures are concerned, computerized transport implies small and light vehicles that circulate on a track, that is to say, without overtaking. The traffic that a motorway with two or three lanes in each direction supports today will be absorbed by two parallel routes, one in each direction. Freight will go by specific narrow conduits which will be generally buried. Such wide tunnels, or such enormous bridges, nor the clearing and filling of land that is currently done will not be required.

In summary, computerization of transport means environmental benefit thanks to:
- The combination of supply and demand data for trips.
- The diminution in size of vehicles.
- The dissuasion of the use of private vehicles.
- Electrification.

 

 

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