Uppsala System in the works and news from San Jose, China and India

The last weeks has been intense - we are getting close to starting a more detailed study in Uppsala, with possible support from the EU. Also, this last week the preliminary findings of San Jose Podcar study came out. Very much as anticipated, "Interesting and possible but more tech work needed" is my conclusion of the report.  We have also seen a series of new studies being started in India and China - the current two most growing economies in the world. Also, on my way back from Paris this week I noted a dramatic loss in profit for Scandinavian Airlines. Reason? Fuel prices, something that is also the most worrying factor in returning to growth for US and European economies. Solar transportation is needed more now than last week, and my bet is that fuel prices will continue to rise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-blnAlcmOg

When will the Perfect Storm come?

This week I have made preparations for the launch of Podcar.org. A large part of that is to research what is going on in the world of sustainable transportation. It is obvious that a lot of energy is going into Podcar development and interest - but also that we still have a rather long way to go before we reach critical mass. I am encouraged by news such as the continued success of the Heathrow system -  http://www.reuters.com/video/2012/04/04/heathrow-moves-forward-with-pod-cars?videoId=221945131&videoChannel=2602 and even more excited when I in January read about the India project - http://www.cnngo.com/mumbai/life/pods-future-urban-transport-india-409090. These are important actions and news for us, yet still not strong enough to drive the industry forward into stronger research & development. So, when will the Perfect Storm come? My guess is that the combination of high energy prices, increased demand of efficient transportation, unsustainable congestion as the cities get more and more dense and not least the issues with Global Warming will all together reach a critical point in a near future. None of the existing modes of transportation can alone answer the call for a better and sustainable way to get around. The time for Podcar technology as a general transportation system is not now - but in a nearer future than many realizes.

New Start - 2012

It is almost four years since I started this blog - with very few updates. Since the last four years a lot has happened - Encitra is doing very exciting stuff in the Uppsala Simulation Project, The City of Uppsala is very close to starting a full study and procurement process for Podcars,



I have had the honor to assist and work through the Memorandum of Cooperation between Sweden and United States on Podcar Technology (and High Speed Rail) and much more.

 
Porcari and Zetterberg, Swedish US MoC Signing

From March 2012 I look forward to a more outgoing work with news about how to get away from fossil fuel in transportation, the importance of virtual modeling tools for birds-eye view of projects for sustainable change and growth and not least exciting meetings in Sweden, Germany, USA and elsewhere where people are starting to understand that we actually can completely change the way we move around - into a better, safer, efficient and not least fun world of transportation.

Link to Encitra Technology at Youtube (low res): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPklr_PFn-s

Link to the Swedish-US MoC: http://www.dot.gov/ost/ogc/OST_DOT/Sweden.pdf