| THE PODCAR CITY 2 | |||
Track A dealt with cities for the future, local projects and the notion of a possible co-ordination of them on a global scale.  Rob Morache from Connect Ithaca showed plans for a podcar system in Ithaca. See Robs pdf.  Ed Porter from Santa Cruz City Council, witnessed strongly about his growing interest for podcar solutions. He meant that we now are facing the same kind of new era in transportation as when Henry Ford got started. See the pdf THE KOMPASS NETWORK GOES GLOBAL...  Hans Lindqvist presented the KOMPASS network more in detail than during the Day 1:s plenary. Together with other Swedish members of the network an invitation to other municipalities to join in was expressed once more. See his presentation of Värmdö municipality.  The interest was clear. Although the situation does not seem ripe yet for a more formalised global network, the process of an international co-operation is obviously here. Several towns and cities from the US and Canada were represented. It was decided that the Swedish KOMPASS network should prepare and present a suggestion on how to act together during the important UN event on the climate in Copenhagen in dec 2009.  Per Janse made a presentation about the possibilities to reach out more in the global media. He discussed the "old media" from the industrial age, as well as the new interactive ones, from the emerging information age. He suggested that all the participants should be generous, not only with good arguments, but also in spreading the nice atmosphere within the growing podcar community, thus forming a global podcar identity, open for all who are seriously interested in a sustainable planet. Slides from the presentation. Track B Research and Innovation  Morgantown, 35 years Later - Vishakha Maskey, WVU Told about the experiences of one of the beacons of the podcar development, Morgantown, in operation since 35 years, over 60 million travels without one accident etc. Vishaka told that it is difficult nowadays to conceive even of a Morgantown without its PRT track, connecting the University areas with other parts of the town. Interestingly the West Virginia University seems to play A similar role as Cornell might play in Ithaca. See the video Slides from the presentation  - Extending PRT Capabilities Ingmar Andreásson, KTH Sweden Professor at the Royal Technical Highschool in Stockholm and a veteran within podcar and PRT research gave his views about possible developments of the podcar/PRT concept, concearning many aspects, such as transits, seamless travels, station design and high speed systems. One of the more interesting suggestions was to double capacity simply by coupling two pods at rush hours. See the video Slides from the presentation  Professonr Alain Kornhauser As a professor and expert in Robotics and human information processing at the department for civil engineering and operations research at the Princeton University, it is no coincidence that he has also had an interest since long in PRT. He reflected on todays general transport and city situation in the present predominatly paved environment and alternative possibilities that PRT would enable and gave examples, such as New Jersey. See the video of his speech His presentation in pdf The final report  - Approval Process for Vectus- Heléne Jarefors, Swedish Rail Agency. She gave the listeners a well structured and understandable presentation of the certification procedures concearning security, capabilities and a number of technical aspects of the Approval of the Vectus Test Track in Uppsala. See the video The presentation Manufacturer and Exhibitor Display, Ballroom, Holiday Inn Lunch (See Vendors)   - SIKA Study - Kjell Dahlström, and Björn Olsson from the SIKA Institute presented their podcar study that has already raised much attention in Sweden, the evaluation of podcar systems with a special focus on a High-speed podcar network Stockholm-Mälaren region. Slides from the presentation  - Vinnova Study - Magnus Hunhammar, IST told about research going on in Sweden concearing gender aspects of PRT systems. The presentation  - Sao Paolo - Alexandra Lichtenberg, Brazil Architect and entrepreneur gave drastic examples about the transportation situation In the Brazil Mega city, its congestion and discussed podcar possibilities. Her perception of deploying the Podcar system as an upscale mode of transportation was refreshing, and an interesting solution for the local problems. Discussions followed about what's next in research. See the video The ending    The final session was held at the magnificent Ithaca Theatre.   The Last time in Ithaca for the dynamic duo Roberts and Lindström, now fom the theatre stage, directing neither Shakespeare nor O´Neill, but the Podcar Reality Show...  
As extra food for thought, two presentations were given. One by David Pimentel (left) dealt with biofuel that will not fix the energy crises. Less energy consuming technology and life styles are needed! See the pdf The other by John Hogan from NASA about the delicate maintenance of spaceship Earth. Se video av föredraget  A concluding and short panel discussion summed things up.  Magnus Hunhammar, Rob Morache, Crista Lopes and Larry Fabian. See the panel discussion  Crista Lopes made a plea for openness within the whole podcar development, referring to the short history of the IT scene, with its Open Source phenomenon and "Information wants to be free" spirit. In the long run there can be profits for all.  The audiovisual technician at the theatre could take it easy... Farewell time...   During the last mingling and the final moments, some short adios and adieu chats. Professor Ingmar Andréasson suggested Crista Lopes the interchange of podcar system data. Gunnar Farm from the Swedish town Sundsvall said good bye to Alexandra Lichtenberg from San Paolo. |
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WHAT HAPPENED IN ITHACA? START
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