Clean Transportation
Fuels of the Future
Electric & Hybrid Cars
PEV's (personal electronic vehicles)
Public Transportation
Rideshare & Flex Programs
The efficient transporting of people and goods from one place to another is essential for the success of a society and its economy. The transport industry is responsible for the consumption of a considerable part of the world’s petroleum (fuel). It is widely known that the process of burning fuels increases the emission of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds, which contribute to the increment of urban smog and climate change.
According to the Energy Information Administration, which provides official energy statistics from the US Government, the transportation industry accounted for 27.8% of that country’s primary energy consumption.
Clean transportation allows people to take a more active role in being energy efficient in regards to their travel. There exist many alternatives for those who may typically opt to drive a car – such as walking, cycling, trains and other modes of public transportation. Innovations in clean transportation technologies will lead to more efficient, more reliable, safer and more environmentally friendly transportation of people and goods.
The Centre for Sustainable Transportation (CST) is a not-for-profit organization run out of the University of Winnipeg. The CST supports and creates transportation alternatives to benefit the environment. Creating educational materials for students and professionals is an important aspect to getting the public and private sectors involved in decision-making processes that will lead to clean transportation being a viable, accessible option for everyone. The CST believes that complete clean transportation can be achieved by 2035.
Industry Trends
Walking and cycling - while certainly green - are not necessarily the most efficient modes of transportation.
The transportation industry is one of the main components of continued economic growth and social stability in industrialized societies. As such, the increasing demand for liquid fuels for transportation has increased in relation to world economic growth. The primary source of liquid fuel, petroleum, is neither sustainable nor an infinite resource. After years of research, biomass resources have emerged as a viable alternative to petroleum-derived fuels. Besides the production of biofuels, there are other measurements being implemented that include the technological improvement of existing systems and introduction of new policies that encourage the adoption of environmentally friendly vehicles.
- Biomass Fuels: Biomass is a renewable energy source derived from biological material (primarily plant matter), or animals and their by-products, or biodegradable wastes that can be burnt as fuel. Biomass feedstock (forest residues, mill residues, agricultural residues, urban wood waste, dedicated energy crops) can be converted into liquid transportation fuels; if it contains over 80% of renewable materials it is also referred as biofuel. The main biofuels used by the transportation industry are: bioethanol, biodiesel, and methanol.
- Top-of-Rail Friction Modifier: The top-of-rail friction modifier system attaches to the top of a rail line. This allows a train to maintain speed and use less energy. The benefits include an overall reduction in emissions, extension of rail and wheel life, lower consumption of fuel and a decreased potential for derailment.
- Auto Rebate Programs: Many governments offer a rebate for those who purchase or lease fuel-efficient vehicles. This incentive encourages participation in the clean transportation movement.
- Wood Pellets & Chips: It is possible to power a truck by installing a small furnace which allows the vehicle to run on wood chips. Burning wood does not release more carbon dioxide than its biodegradation (rotting), therefore it can be be considered ‘carbon neutral’.
Relevant Job Titles
- Environmental Advisor
- Environmental Geologist
- Green Vehicle Engineer
- Green Vehicle Related Worker
- Manufacturing Workers