
The concept of sustainable transportation systems and technologies involves a multitude of ways which humans create and use our transportation systems world-wide. Air, land and water transportation systems and vehicles are vastly used in the billions globally. Sustainability means creating in ways that is responsible, ethical and harmonious with life, natural systems and resources. Creating sustainable transportation systems and vehicles means factoring in the view of being conscious stewards of the planet in that way that we live. Ethical transportation design concepts, technologies and functions in; energy and fuel source technologies, environmental and life-form impacts, material sources and cycles, and social benefits, safety and support describe sustainability.


Air transportation is the fastest way to travel over long distances and world-wide. Airplane transportation passengers reached over 4 billion world-wide in 2017 and is growing annually. The expected traffic for air transportation is estimated to double in the next 20 years. Most of the vehicles used publicly are passenger airplanes, followed by cargo planes and helicopters. Helicopters are used for a variety of special applications though are not a normal means of public aerial transportation with estimation of less than 20,000 used world-wide in the public domain. Fossil fuel sources are the most common for powering airplanes and helicopters which include; jet fuel, aviation gas and diesel. These fuels emit environmental pollutants such as carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx). In 2015, air transportation produced 781 million tons of CO2. Air transportation vehicles contribute to 2% of CO2 human created emissions. There are new technology designs for engines and clean renewable energy sources for airplanes such as electric engines using batteries, hydrogen fuel cells and liquid hydrogen. These technologies are in early development, not yet in full production or large scale use. The development and use of clean energy fuel sources to power helicopters is minimal currently and limited by the weight to power needed for lift ratio. The current technology with electric batteries has enabled a 22 minute flight for a standard sized transport helicopter. There is also some development in hydrogen-peroxide and alcohol based jet fuel that emits only water vapor for transport helicopters.
Energy sources and fuels for air transportation vehicles commonly ranges from aviation gas and diesel to jet fuel which are fossil fuels. Cleaner and renewable fuels and energy sources are available for these vehicles. Technological development is taking place that will support air transportation vehicles to use electric motors powered by batteries and hydrogen fuel cells. Liquid hydrogen can be used with turbines and combustion engines.
Air transportation systems and vehicles have a definite impact on our environment and life-forms in different biological eco-systems. Making sure we factor in designing air transportation routes and vehicle emissions and waste materials in a way that has minimal impact and adverse effects on subtle environmental conditions and balance as well as living eco-systems is vital. We need to carefully watch in the way we create and utilize air transportation to be in harmony with natural systems and eco-systems.
Materials for air transportation vehicles range from metals, plastics, and fiberglass composites to wood. Theses materials have value for use in creating the next generations of air transportation vehicles. If we design these vehicles with the concept to use the materials to make newer vehicles then we can create an industry to cycle these materials. We will have no waste from the last generation of vehicles. This means less extraction of new materials and resources from the environment. This results in less human impact on natural systems and biological systems on the planet.
Social benefits, support and safety on important in the design of air transportation systems and vehicles. Meeting the individual and collective needs of the people is vital. Safety is necessary in the design and function of these vehicles. There are governmental and international design and operational regulations that support these issues. Currently air transportation is growing rapidly which makes air traffic in the designated routes in the sky more congested. Finding new ways for air traffic routes and methods is important as well as safely managing the flow of land traffic in and out of airports.
AIR TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES

AIR TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGIES


HES Hydrogen Electric Airplane
The Element One is a hydrogen fuel cell and battery powered electric engine passenger plane that is in early development in Singapore.

Eviation Electric Airplane
Eviation is designing electric airplanes that will launch in 2020 that will be 90% cheaper in cost to fly using electric batteries in comparison to jet fuel.

Solar Impulse 2 Airplane
The Solar Impulse 2 is the first solar powered plane to fly around the planet. It is purely powered by onboard solar panels, batteries and electric motor.
NASA Hydrogen Electric Airplane
NASA in combination with other companies is developing a new type of “cryogenic” hydrogen fuel cell design for use in electric powered planes.
Ampaire Hybrid Electric Airplane
Ampaire has built and is testing their hybrid electric, 6 passenger Cessna 337. This hybrid plane greatly reduces energy costs and CO2 emissions.
Airbus E-Fan X
Airbus is developing a large 2 megawatt hybrid electric commercial passenger plane with plans for its first launch in 2021.
H55 Electric Airplane
This electric airplane is developed by one of the co-founders of the Solar Impulse airplane. The H55 is a two-seater airplane with a 90 minute flying duration.
Zunum Aero Airplane
Zunum Aero is developing a hybrid electric passenger airplane that can travel 1,000 miles. This airplane is planned to launch in 2022.
HY4 Hydrogen Airplane
The HY4 is the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell powered 4 seater electric airplane. This plane took its first test flight in 2016.


Land transportation vehicles are the most abundant, diverse and commonly used on the planet. The main types of land transportation vehicles are; cars and trucks, trains and trams, buses and shuttles, transfer and semi trucks, motorcycles and mopeds, and bicycles and scooters. There are well over 1 billion vehicles on roads world-wide today with an expected 2 billion by 2035. The most common fuels for these vehicles is currently fossil fuels in the form of gasoline and diesel. These fuels emit pollutants such as carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Land transportation vehicles contribute to 17% of human created CO2 emissions. There has recently been vast development and application of technologies to power land vehicles with cleaner fuels and renewable energy sources. Hybrid gas and electric vehicles are produced now by most of the automotive manufacturers world-wide. Electric motors powered by batteries and hydrogen fuels cells are being developed and used more. Most land vehicles and transportation routes are designed for larger vehicles and long to moderate distance travel. I more urban and higher population density areas, public transport vehicles such as trams and buses and private vehicles such as mopeds, scooters and bicycles are a more viable option. Many cities and urban areas are building more transportation infrastructure for these vehicles. Some cities in Europe, India and Asia use mostly moped and bicycles for local vehicle transportation.
The most common energy sources and fuels for land transportation vehicles are gasoline and diesel which are fossil fuels. Cleaner and renewable fuels and energy sources are available for these vehicles. Technological development has created the ability to use electric motors powered by batteries and hydrogen fuel cells in modern land vehicles. Hybrid gas and electric vehicles have become common in car design with manufacturers world-wide. There is some development in hydrogen on demand from water to fuel combustion engine vehicles as well.
Land transportation systems and vehicles have a definite impact on our environment and life-forms in different biological eco-systems. Making sure we factor in designing land transportation routes, roads, highways, freeways and railways, vehicles and their emissions and waste materials in a way that has minimal impact and adverse effects on subtle environmental conditions and balance as well as living eco-systems is vital. We need to carefully watch in the way we create and utilize land transportation to be in harmony with natural systems and eco-systems.
Materials for land transportation vehicles range from metals, plastics, fiberglass and carbon composites. Theses materials have value for use in creating the next generations of land transportation vehicles. If we design these vehicles with the concept to use the materials to make newer vehicles then we can create an industry to cycle these materials. We will have no waste from the last generation of vehicles. This means less extraction of new materials and resources from the environment. This results in less human impact on natural systems and biological systems on the planet. As an example, the European Union has set rules in Europe for automotive manufacturers to be responsible for the materials, the (land transportation) vehicles that are no longer in use. This concept can be handled by manufacturers in a cycled materials system or by a third party vehicle materials cycling infrastructure working with the vehicle manufacturers. The design of tires for land vehicles is another big focus as currently we cannot use old tires to make new tires due to the mix of chemicals used in their production thus creating polluting waste and having to use more land space to farm more rubber trees.
Social benefits, support and safety on important in the design of land transportation systems and vehicles. Meeting the individual and collective needs of the people is vital. Safety is necessary in the design and function of these vehicles and systems. There are governmental and international industry design and operational regulations that support these issues. Currently land transportation in high and growing populous areas for roads and highways are more congested. Finding new ways routes and building new roads is an ongoing process. Safely managing the design and density of the flow of traffic on roads, highways and freeways is key.
LAND TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES

LAND TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGIES


Maglev Train Technology
Maglev technology for trains use electro-magnetic energy to levitate and propel the train forward with top speeds upwards of 300 MPH for passenger trains.

Tesla Electric Semi-Truck
Recycling organization world-wide that supports creating systems for the recycling of almost any type of waste and offers money to charities through any.

Toyota Hydrogen Semi-Truck
New Indonesian company that creates a plethora of compostable or upcyclable bi-based plastic from the starch of their locally grown kava plant.
Coradia Hydrogen Electric Train
French company Alstom has built the worlds first operational hydrogen fuel cell powered electric train currently running in Germany.
Solar Electric Super Highway
This 6 lane highway is being developed in China that has solar panels built into the road to charge electric vehicles as they drive
Hyperloop Transportation Technology
HTT is being developed for train pods with speeds above 700 MPH. The system uses maglev technology inside a vacuum sealed tube.
Mirai Hydrogen Electric Car
Toyota has designed the Mirai with an electric engine and hydrogen fuel cell with a model for recharging with hydrogen at gas stations.
Netherlands Electric Train System
All the trains run and operated by the Netherlands government are now electric and are powered by clean wind energy farms nearby.
Tesla Electric Vehicles
Tesla has developed multiple vehicles that run on electric motors and batteries that are capable of long distance travel between charges.

Rivian Electric Vehicles
Rivian is a new automotive company developing an electric truck and sport utility with long distance travel capacity set to launch vehicles in 2020.

Atlis Electric Truck
Atlis is in development for producing a new electric truck with long distance travel capacity set to launch vehicles in 2020.

Toyota Hydrogen Semi-Truck
There are many hybrid electric vehicles available to choose from almost all major car manufactures that run on both gasoline fuel and electric battery.


We use many varieties of water transportation vehicles for ocean, sea and inland bodies of water and water ways. The main types of water transportation vehicles used are; freight and cargo ships, fishing and sporting boats, ferry boats and yachts, and ocean liners and cruise ships. There are roughly 50,000 ocean and sea vessels that use fossil fuels such as gasoline, diesel and bunker fuel which contribute to environmental pollution. The pollutant emissions include carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx). These pollutants are known to cause asthma, lung cancer and heart disease. Studies have shown there are around 14 million ship-related childhood asthma cases annually. Ocean, sea and waterway transportation vehicles contribute to an estimated 2% of human created CO2 emissions. There are many technologies being developed for safer and clean energy sources to power these vessels. These new clean energy power technologies include; electric motors and batteries that can be charged with clean energy sources, hybrid diesel and electric battery, liquid hydrogen, hydrogen fuel cell and electric battery hybrids, solar, wind, wave and hydrogen from seawater.
Energy sources and fuels for water transportation vehicles commonly ranges from gasoline and diesel to bunker fuels which fossil fuels. Some large ships use nuclear reactors for a power source. Cleaner and renewable fuels and energy sources are available for these vehicles. Technological development is taking place that will support water transportation vehicles to use electric motors powered by batteries and hydrogen fuel cells. Liquid hydrogen can be used with combustion engines. Hybrid gas and electric powered water transportation vehicles are now starting to be built world-wide. There is some development in hydrogen on demand from water to fuel combustion engine vehicles as well. Energy on demand from solar, wind, wave and hydrogen from saltwater is being developed and used in some water transportation vehicles. There is still lack of cleaner energy fuels and power sources for the largest of water transportation ships.
Water transportation systems and vehicles have a definite impact on our environment and life-forms in different biological eco-systems. Making sure we factor in designing water transportation routes and vehicle emissions and waste materials in a way that has minimal impact and adverse effects on subtle environmental conditions and balance as well as living eco-systems is vital. Marine life is sensitive the electro-magnetic frequencies and sound. We need to carefully watch in the way we create and utilize water transportation to be in harmony with natural systems and eco-systems.
Materials for water transportation vehicles range from metals, plastics, and fiberglass composites to wood. Theses materials have value for use in creating the next generations of water transportation vehicles. If we design these vehicles with the concept to use the materials to make newer vehicles then we can create an industry to cycle these materials. We will have no waste from the last generation of vehicles. This means less extraction of new materials and resources from the environment. This results in less human impact on natural systems and biological systems on the planet.
Social benefits, support and safety on important in the design of water transportation systems and vehicles. Meeting the individual and collective needs of the people is vital. Safety is necessary in the design and function of these vehicles. There are governmental and international industry design and operational regulations that support these issues. Safely managing the flow of traffic in the inland water ways as well as oceans, seas and ports is important.
WATER TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES

WATER TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGIES


Portliner E-Barges
Portliner is developing inland water-way cargo ships named E-Barge’s, using electric motors and batteries that will run on clean energy sources.

Energy Observer Race Boat
The Energy Observer is a prototype race boat that is powered by wind, solar, wave and hydrogen energy derived from saltwater.

Roald Amundsen Cruise Ship
Norwegien based Hurtigruten has launched new hybrid electric powered cruise ships that cut CO2 emissions and fuel consumption by 20%.

Norled Hydrogen Ferry
Norled, a Norwegian company is developing a new liquid hydrogen powered ferry that is expected to launch in 2021.

Yara Birkeland Container Ship
Yara International is developing a large 260 ft. long container ship that will be powered by electric motors and 9 megawatts of batteries.

Water-Go-Round Ferry
Hydrogen fuel cell, electric motor and battery hybrid ferry is being constructed for use in the San Fransisco Bay area.

UNITED STATES – SOLAR RAILWAY GRID


William McDonough, who created the “Cradle to Cradle” concept wrote about an idea to utilize the United States Railway System as a solar powered electrical grid that could power the entire country with clean energy. This would utilize the 140,000 miles of track to run solar panels along side the train rails. This would be enough square footage of solar panel surface area to power the country. Electric battery station facilities would need to be used to store the solar energy for nigh time use. The energy would be routed along the railways to urban and rural energy utility grids already in operation to distribute the energy for commercial and residential needs. The solar energy grid could also power a new clean energy electric powered high speed train transportation system nationwide.

Solar Panel Energy Grid

Electric Battery Storage Facilities

Electric Powered Trains & Stations
USA High-Speed Railways
Hyperloop Transportation Technology
