Image Courtesy: Imgur.com via Reddit
Seriously, I did not know people went to this extent – printing cards and carrying them around to stick them on windshields of those bad parking jobs. Funny, yet on point!
(Source: AASHTO)
Recently found this nice 62-page report on vehicle electrification via an AASHTO e-mail and felt compelled to share. Here are some excerpts from the AASHTO Journal:
Plug-in electric vehicles can lessen U.S. dependence on imported oil, address rising gas prices, enhance air quality, and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, but their full potential will only be realized through a broad-based group of stakeholders working together, concludes a report released Tuesday by the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions and co-sponsored by AASHTO’s Center for Environmental Excellence.
The report presents several recommendations from a coalition that includes automakers, electrical utilities, environmental groups, and state officials. Coordinated public and private actions at the state and local levels can help ensure that plug-in owners are able to more readily charge their vehicles without overburdening the electric grid, the report states.
Recommendations include encouraging state public utility commissions and other policymakers to set up a consistent regulatory framework across the nation to better synchronize technical standards; streamlining the establishment of changing stations in both home and commercial settings; leveraging electricity rate structures to promote charging at off-peak times; helping local policymakers and other stakeholders in the appraisal of needs in their jurisidictions; strategically targeting public and private investments in related infrastructure; and providing credible information on the costs, benefits, and choices involving plug-ins.
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Image Courtesy: AAA via Grist.com
Found this interesting graphic on Grist in an article titled “How high do gas prices have to get to trigger behavior change? “. So, do Americans really change their driving habits when the gas prices rise? According to the graph, the answer is an emphatic yes. The article quotes AAA saying, ” A AAA survey conducted at the beginning of the month found 84 percent of respondents saying they have changed their driving habits or lifestyle in some way in response to recent gas-price increases, and 87 percent would change driving habits further if prices remain this high for long. The most common change adopted so far is combining trips and errands, which 60 percent of respondents say they’ve done. And 16 percent say they’ve purchased or leased a more fuel-efficient vehicle.” Read the entire article here.
Note: If the gas prices continue to rise with the drum beats of war getting louder and louder by the day, we can expect to see many drivers ditching their cars and opt to taking transit to work and to other places. I hope the transit agencies do everything in their power to demonstrate the conveniences of riding a bus/train and entice these flocking masses to continue using transit as a primary option for getting around. Oh, the big question I have in mind – Are the American transit agencies equipped to handle this sudden spike in ridership? Many transit agencies are hobbled by poor funding patterns over the years and it will be hard to meet this new segment of ridership arrives to what is an already exploding demand. Let’s see what happens. (Oh, no matter what the scenario is, one can expect to see a decline in VMT numbers again).
(Source: National Coalition for Safer Roads)
No technology in the transportation domain gets the general public in a tizzy as much as the red light enforcement. Though the technology has been in use for over a decade and raked up some impressive stats in terms of lives saved, the sight of cameras at the intersection continue to remain a point of contention in many communities across the country. For the naysayers, here comes an infograph highlighting the dangers of red light running and how enforcement technology has helped address this problem. Also check out the one-page Get The Facts (PDF document) that accompanies this infographic.
Earlier today, a Redditor (iamstandingbehindyou) first posted this picture shown below of MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner. The way this rider was captured made a lot of folks wonder if it is photoshopped or a real one. Looking at the banking angle, one would assume that either the rider & the bike are already in the process of biting the dust or have to conclude that it is no way a real one.
Image Courtesy: Sharonov.Tumblr.com via Reddit
Later in the day, another Redditor (unfknreal) posted the Red Bull Moments video below which confirmed that it is NOT a silly photoshop but a very real and legendary live performance caught on camera. Sheer poetry in motion caught on camera and the 1000fps slow motion reveals the beuaty of that split second action in all its glory! Just look at that sheer talent! I had goose bumps just watching it on video. I think this is what legends are made of – delivering such virtuoso performance as part of their everyday business. For a guy who has been riding bikes since he was 4 years old, it shows how much talent he has handling a screaming monster on the race track. Casey Stoner = LEGEND. Respect!
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My heart skipped a beat watching this video. Let’s leave it at that. The details from MotoJournal about this video: EXTREME, 258 KM/H ON ICE: Porsche GT3RS, Mitsubishi Evo 9 face to Yamaha R1 and WRF 450 in Lapland by minus 20 degrees on the replica (scale one) of the legendary track of Le Castellet. Who will win? Don’t miss “Ice Age 5” on the 27th of March! Now, I can’t wait till March 27 to catch the whole craziness.
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(Source: Mashable)
In line with its tradition of producing many of the safest cars on this planet, Volvo is once again upping the contributions towards road user safety. Mind you, this is not just occupant safety but also one that cares about the most vulnerable of all road users – the pedestrians. The video below explains how this tech. feature will help save pedestrians during a collision.
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(Source: via Reddit)
Image Courtesy: Imgur.com via Reddit
(Source: Telegraph)
Hundreds of homeless people travelled on London’s bendy buses at night, finding a safe haven and a place to sleep. But now the buses have been withdrawn, where will they all go? Filmmaker Robert Wilkins spent a week travelling the N29 meeting homeless people who use it as a refuge and a warm place to sleep. As double deckers come back onto London’s streets, it’s expected that fewer people will be able to get on without a ticket.
(Source: TSAoutofourPants.wordpress.com via Reddit)
Blogger Jonathan Corbett is upping the ante in his protracted fight against the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) much criticized Transportation Security Administration (TSA). In the video below, he demonstrates the flaws in the nude body scanners widely deployed at US airports. Amazing to see how simple yet effective his strategy is as he clears the security check points at multiple airports with hidden materials completely undetected. TSA is going to have some serious explaining to do soon as this video is starting to go viral. It is already generating a brick ton of comments on Reddit.
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