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