ITS Monday: Edition 31, 2022

National Electric Vehicle Strategy: consultation paper

The release of this made a bit of a splash over the last week. “We are seeking views on proposed goals, objectives and actions for the National Electric Vehicle Strategy. This feedback will help shape a truly national Strategy to ensure Australians can access the best transport technologies and help meet our emission reduction targets. The Strategy will aim to provide social, economic, business, health and environmental benefits. This will make sure we capture opportunities and have an orderly transition to transport electrification.” On this page we link to there is a link to download the Consultation Paper.

Related iMOVE project: Electric vehicles: Supporting uptake, investigating smart charging

Who’s liable if you’re injured or killed riding an e-scooter?

A piece from The Conversation, written by Mark Giancaspro, Lecturer in Law, and David Brown, Co-Director, Bankruptcy and Insolvency Scholarship Unit, both at the University of Adelaide. This brings to mind the many many words in small font every time we download software. A box we just tick, without ever looking at the legal small print. When we use share scooters and bikes we are in essence just ticking the box and getting on the vehicles. This article clearly outlines what’s in the small print regarding legal protection and liabilities.

Related iMOVE project: Role of heterogeneity in active travellers’ injury severity analysis

E-scooters are becoming wildly popular – but we have to factor in the weather

Staying in the land of e-scooters, and The Conversation, is this piece written by various academics from the University of Queensland. The main thrust of this is in relation to usage patterns: “But one question previously unanswered is: what about the weather? If the skies open, do e-scooter users switch to cars or public transport? What about intense summer heat?”

As Self-Driving Cars Hit the Streets, New Equity Concerns Emerge

A US-based article. “States and localities will have a key role in ensuring vulnerable communities aren’t harmed by the new transportation technology, or miss out on its benefits. State and local officials need to act proactively to make sure that widespread use of self-driving vehicles doesn’t leave out historically disadvantaged communities, a team of researchers from the Urban Institute warned in a new report.”

Cars have taken over our neighbourhoods. Kid-friendly superblocks are a way for residents to reclaim their streets

Another article from The Conversation, this time from a group of academics from The University of Western Australia. In it they talk about the concept and implementation of Superblocks. “One way to boost communities is to create “superblocks for kids”. Pioneered in cities like Barcelona, a superblock covers several neighbourhood blocks reserved for shared use by cyclists, walkers and residents who simply want to use the street space. Superblocks allow low-speed access for residents’ cars, but exclude through-traffic.”

CEOs Can’t Fix Our Biggest Problem With RTO: Commuting

“Whether pressured to return or wooed with free breakfast, many workers are filing back into downtown offices. But few are going in five days a week, and many don’t plan to for the foreseeable future. That’s because employers can do little about the primary pain point that’s keeping people at home: commuting.”

See all of iMOVE’s Working from Home projects and content.

Daimler Truck boosts electric truck range with new battery chemistry

“Daimler Truck is changing battery chemistry for its future long-haul electric trucks to boost driving range beyond 300 miles on a single charge while eliminating the use of cobalt and nickel.”

Related iMOVE project: Investigating the viability of hydrogen fuel for heavy vehicle use

Battery-Powered Trains Are Picking Up Speed

A round-up of activity in the USA of trains looking to make a switch away from the realm of diesel power. “Switching to battery electric power will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve local air quality. Diesel locomotives spew particulate matter and other toxic pollutants, accounting for an estimated 1,000 premature deaths and $6.5 billion in health costs a year in the US. A spokesperson for the California Air Resources Board says replacing diesel locomotives will “undoubtedly have a positive health impact to nearby communities” and will represent “a step forward in the long-standing environmental justice concerns of communities living near rail yards in our state.””