SUPERBUS

"Hot on the heels of debate over a new transportation spending bill, a new poll shows that most Americans want to see more funding for public transportation, and only drive because they have few better options."

Read More
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/03/surprise-americans-want-public-transportation/#ixzz0jraxUuoh


On demand point to point bus service is possible with small to medium size buses right now. UPS does on demand point to point pick up right now with GPS and computers in their trucks.

This is a similar concept with added 150 mph speed. Point to point on demand service in a high speed vehicle running on both ordinary roadways and a purpose built roadway running in parallel with interstate type highways.

"Looking more like a futuristic stretch limo than a bus, the Superbus is a 15-meter long vehicle that provides seating for 23 passengers who can embark and disembark via its 16 gull-wing doors (eight on each side). The electric bus runs on four E2M electric motors powered by rechargeable batteries with its highly streamlined shape and lightweight construction designed to keep energy consumption down as it hurtles along at 155 mph.

Instead of adhering to a fixed schedule the Superbus is designed to be flexible and provide high volume, point to point transport on demand via a central routing optimization system."

Read more:

AUTOMOTIVE
Superbus: on-demand luxury public transport at over 150 mph

By Darren Quick

23:01 March 30, 2010
http://www.gizmag.com/superbus/14677/

No pee fly zones and business flying

Long waits are bad enough; if “Depends” become standard flight wear, alternatives to airline travel will become more desirable. That’s railroad, and business jet travel; something we already have in Coatesville.

Production Begins On Sikorsky S-76D

“The first S-76D helicopter airframe has entered production on the assembly line at Aero Vodochody (Aero) in the Czech Republic in preparation for the customer deliveries planned to begin in 2011. The first S-76D helicopter airframe - serial number 761004 - had its fuselage joined and then entered final assembly at Aero. The fuselage is scheduled to depart Aero in April 2010 for delivery to Sikorsky Global Helicopters facility in Coatesville, PA, where final assembly and completion of the S-76D helicopters will take place. “

More at:
Aero-News
http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?contentBlockId=fcb97d31-33c3-4483-8c7b-9cce8e02dae2

Not just infrastucture for jobs but centralized green infrastructure to compete worldwide

This article from Brookings Institute is somewhat parallel to what we are doing here in Chester County in green businesses. We have a foundation of a centralized infrastructure here. Remember that the City of Philadelphia was once an industrial powerhouse and a major port in the USA.

Rethinking the Way on Infrastructure

Bruce Katz, Vice President and Director, Metropolitan Policy Program
Robert Puentes, Senior Fellow, Metropolitan Policy Program
The Hill

http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2009/1120_infrastructure_katz_puentes.aspx

High speed Rail

We have no high speed rail in the United States of America. We have a few fast trains.

• Our air traffic control is not up to 21 Century standards.

• Our truck freight system is not very safe.

• Our rail freight system is not all it can be.

• Our manufacturing has been moved to other countries and an economy that was once based on manufacturing is now based on consumers buying stuff, mostly made in China.

• Our financial system is based on buying imported manufactured items, USA consumers buying them and China and other countries buying our Treasury bonds. USA manufacturing is all but dead.

There is a common thread that binds all those together:
Unions and the anti-union mission of the Republican Party; unions mostly support the Democratic Party. Among other things the Rush-publicans have rejected any transportation form that may involve unions and has driven out USA manufacturing. It is very clear to me that they did this for purely political reasons.


The Obama Administration has a bold new plan to bring high speed rail to the United States of America.

President Obama's initiative will fund high-speed and intercity passenger rail programs. It includes $8 billion in stimulus money and $5 billion more over the next five years.

"The money represents the first major step toward establishing a genuine high-speed train network in the United States and has sparked a stampede among states, advocacy groups and lobbyists who are not accustomed to this level of funding." Washington Post

“High-Speed Rail Drives Obama's Transportation Agenda
By Dan Eggen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, March 8, 2009;
A01
The Northern Lights Express is little more than an idea –

a proposal for a 110-mph passenger train between Minneapolis and Duluth, Minn., that has crept along in fits and starts for years. But the slow ride may soon be over. The project is one of dozens nationwide that are likely to benefit from President Obama's initiative to fund high-speed and intercity passenger rail programs, including $8 billion in stimulus money and $5 billion more over the next five years in the administration's proposed transportation budget.”
More at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/07/AR2009030701794.html?nav=hcmodule