NEW CIVILIZATION FOUNDATION

7.17 TRANSPORTATION

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7.17.1 Transportation has been the "iron horse" that the industrialization of the so- called developed nations has ridden, using over one quarter of all energy consumption . 85% of this has been fossil fuel based, its share constantly increasing. The transportation sector accounts for two-thirds of United States petroleum use -- which is currently 11 million barrels of oil per day, or almost two gallons per person per day. US cars and light trucks alone consume more oil than domestic producers can extract. Worldwide figures may be somewhat less extravagant, but may be extrapolated from these data.

7.17.2 It is estimated that the U.S. has been spilling 31,000 gallons of oil every day for 20 years into our waterways. A well tuned modern internal combustion engine vehicle produces an average of 7 pounds of solid pollutants from the tailpipe per year. Older vehicles may easily double this figure. Air travel also contributes large amounts of pollution and energy use. In effect, the Current transportation paradigm is intrinsically related to urban sprawl, overcrowded cities, and other collateral impacts upon quality of life including global warming, air quality deterioration, and acid rain.

7.17.3 One of the most effective vehicles for change in the area of transportation will be a restructuring of lifestyle in favor of community centered living, and a greater quality of life given by :

7.17.3.1 Working within the local community, which will mean spending less time per day in commute, reduced stress, and lower costs of transportation, in addition to the potential for more fulfilling human relationships.

7.17.3.2 Growing of wholesome local foodstuffs for local consumption will yield large net reductions in global energy use as well as better nutrition, a community heart center, less need for hauling food stuffs and other necessities (except in emergencies or special cases).

7.17.4 In addition to searching for ways to make transportation less necessary, the NCF will be dedicated to Research and development of vehicles and transportation methods that are pollution free and based upon a sustainable future in terms of manufactur ing and fuel use . Vehicles powered by currently available but unexploited technology will be vigorously investigated.

7.17.4.1 Possible alternative fuels include :
7.17.4.1.1 Solar
7.17.4.1.2 Biomass conversion based upon local sources
7.17.4.1.3 Hydrogen Fuel Cell
7.17.4.1.4 Water
7.17.4.1.5 Zero Point Energy

7.17.4.2 Possible alternative technologies include :

7.17.4.2.1 Hot vapor technology / plasma generation technology fuel preprocessing (retrofittable)
7.17.4.2.2 Regenerative braking
7.17.4.2.3 Flywheel utilization
7.17.4.2.4 Small engine / electric hybrids
7.17.4.2.5 Lightweight materials based in renewable resources
7.17.4.2.6 Mag-lev mass transit
7.17.4.2.7 Ultralight personal aircraft
7.17.4.2.8 Inertial / Gyroscopic Drives

7.17.5 In every possible way, NCF will explore the following concepts with relation to transportation:

7.17.5.1 Reduced necessity
7.17.5.2 Reduced desirability by increasing attractive community environs.
7.17.5.3 Greatly reduced fossil fuel use , in direct consumption and in manufacture.
7.17.5.4 Increased efficiencies

7.17.6 NCF efforts in transportation will depend in great part upon strong cooperation between our Strategy areas of Transportation, Energy, Science & Technology, in addition to the essential underlying structuring of Community & Culture, Agriculture, Ecology, and Economics Strategies.