Questions for Discussion Flashcards
How might carpooling and the use of autonomous vehicles, cars, or trains interconnect?
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In what ways does a region’s infrastructure support its economy? What role might the creation of new roads play in helping developing nations?
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A recent study found that the per-passenger-kilometer emissions are 3.6 times greater in electric cars than conventional vehicles. What conditions can influence the adoption of one type of vehicles over another?
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Should there be a single global perspective on how land transportation is implemented? How would a global perspective be agreed upon? What factors would need consideration before a unified perspective could be outlined?
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Car designer, Chris Bangle, forecasts that self-driving cars will soon change our perception of the necessary features of a vehicle. What are the “optical signals” associated with driving today? What features of vehicles and infrastructure could be removed if all cars were autonomous?
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Basic needs have influenced the development of transportation for centuries. From walking and swimming for survival to the automobiles and airplanes that enabled globalization, transportation has been a key indicator of human development. What will the world’s land transportation look like in 50 years?
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The maglev is expected to one day travel at speeds greater than 600 miles per hour. What kinds of enforcements are needed to maintain the safety and control of high speed transportation? How are transportation laws and the enforcement of those laws defined by the available transportation?
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Consider the characteristics of countries and regions that are shifting away from dependence on automobiles. How does the infrastructure needed to support alternative transportation differ from that need to sustain traditional vehicles? What roles do government or activist organizations play in shifting away from auto-dependence?
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The United Nations predicts that by 2050 the Earth will be home to more than 9 billion people with more than half of the population living in cities. What might be done to address the impact that a growing population will have on existing transportation infrastructure?
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What is meant by the idea of “collaborative consumtion”? How can this approach be used in vehicle design or infrastructure development? In what ways could vehicles and infrastructure work together to achieve collaborative consumption?
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