March 28, 2011, 8:14 AM CT

'Green' cars from pineapples and bananas

Your next new car hopefully won't be a lemon. But it could be a pineapple or a banana. That's because researchers in Brazil have developed a more effective way to use fibers from these and other plants in a new generation of automotive plastics that are stronger, lighter, and more eco-friendly than plastics now in use. They described the work, which could lead to stronger, lighter, and more sustainable materials for cars and other products, here today at the 241st National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS).

Study leader Alcides Le�o, Ph.D., said the fibers used to reinforce the new plastics may come from delicate fruits like bananas and pineapples, but they are super strong. Some of these so-called nano-cellulose fibers are almost as stiff as Kevlar, the renowned super-strong material used in armor and bulletproof vests. Unlike Kevlar and other traditional plastics, which are made from petroleum or natural gas, nano-cellulose fibers are completely renewable.

"The properties of these plastics are incredible," Le�o said, "They are light, but very strong � 30 per cent lighter and 3-to-4 times stronger. We think that a lot of car parts, including dashboards, bumpers, side panels, will be made of nano-sized fruit fibers in the future. For one thing, they will help reduce the weight of cars and that will improve fuel economy"......... Posted by: Jim      Read more         Source

February 27, 2011, 8:11 PM CT

Small Cars in the Big City

In large cities, space is limited and only the elite can afford the vast garage fees and high insurance rates. This is one of the main reasons why small cars have become such a popular choice for those who live in a big city. With many compact options, people living in the city are more apt to buy a smaller car, one that will just meet their daily needs. When choosing these small cars, it is important to think of practicality. Will it allow enough room for groceries? Can adults fit in the back seat? Could it be used for a road trip if necessary? Once these questions are answered, big city residents will be well on their way to choosing a small car that will offer many benefits without the high price tags.

Taking a cheap flight to New York will reward visitors with a glimpse of one of the greatest cities in the world. They will also learn how small cars can be beneficial in a large and busy city. One of the most popular small cars on the market is the Mini Cooper by GM. This is a cute car that offers a roomy front seat; however, the rest of the car does not provide a lot of space. There is a back seat and a trunk that is 0.1 cubic metres. If there is a need to fit adults in the back seat, the Mini Clubman may be a better choice.

The Smart Car has taken the world by surprise. This small car is perfect for squeezing into those tiny parking spaces. While the size of the car is attractive to those living in the city, they will sacrifice a lot of space. There is no back seat, but this allows the driver and passenger to have a lot of leg room. This is a great small car for a young couple with no kids. In addition, the Smart Car has great fuel-efficiency.

One of the most popular small cars on the market is the Honda Civic. Made by a trusted and reputable company, the Civic offers a little more space than these other cars. There is a roomy back seat and plenty of trunk space and this little car can handle a road trip with no problem. Of course, having a car with a Honda name will also mean paying a little more. However, the added space and room to stretch out is well worth the added cost.

When moving to New York, it will be important to have a vehicle on hand. While many people do rely on public transportation, there will be times that people will need their own auto. To accommodate life in the city and cramped parking, these small and compact cars offer benefits to people moving into a large city. Buying a small car does not mean you will have to sacrifice luxury. These mentioned autos are available in various packages and offer many options that will add to your comfort.
Posted by: Jim      Read more         Source

January 16, 2011, 10:05 PM CT

Driving Simulators Help Older Adults

Older drivers could benefit from training programs that put them behind the wheel-in a driving simulator, with an observer who helps them develop their skills. That's the conclusion of a new article published in Current Directions in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.

Older people are at much higher risk of car crashes than younger drivers. Some states and provinces test older drivers, hoping to get the riskiest drivers off the road. But the tests they use are inadequate, says Normand Teasdale of Universite Laval in Quebec, who cowrote the study with Pierre-Luc Gamache, Carol Hudon, and Martin Simoneau. Some governments only test vision; others test cognition, too. In some cases, on-the-road tests also are required.

But none of these tests is enough-they lack accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. To drive effectively, you not only have to be able to see, hear, and think about what's going on-you also have to be able to turn this sensory input into the right action, like stepping on the brake when you see a red light ahead of you. (And not stepping on the gas instead, a common mistake.)

Teasdale and colleagues think a better approach is to help elderly adults improve their skills through the use of proper training using a driving simulator and appropriate feedbacks. In experiments, they've observed that coaching helps older drivers improve. For example, in one experiment, elderly adults were tested on the road, then coached in a driving simulator. "We actually walk them through their errors by showing them their own response," Teasdale says. Then the drivers were tested again on the road-without coaching-and their driving improved. "After the training, they really were aware of why they were making errors and what not to do."......... Posted by: Jim      Read more         Source

January 16, 2011, 9:08 PM CT

Learning while driving

The days are long gone when all you needed to be a truck driver was a heavy goods vehicle license and the ability to read a map. Nowadays it is a skilled occupation which requires lots of qualifications. Modern truck drivers have to operate electronic devices, adapt their routes expertly to the given traffic and loading situation, know how to drive fuel-efficiently, be up to date with statutory regulations and monitor the safety of their load. Then there is all the complex legislation introduced at EU level. What's more, drivers who make trips to other countries also need some knowledge of foreign languages and have to be familiar with the regulations applying in different countries. Modern truck drivers always have something new to learn, and are even obliged by law to keep up with developments. The problem is that they spend most of their time behind the wheel. Trucks only earn money when they are out on the road and so the driver's time for anything else is very limited.

With this in mind, research researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology FIT in Sankt Augustin, working in close cooperation with partners from the logistics and training sectors, have developed LogiAssist. "The purpose of the system is to help drivers and trucking firms handle their occupational training needs," explains project manager Dr. Martin Wolpers. The idea is for truckers to listen to an audio lecture after work, during their breaks, or even while driving, and to receive specifically tailored assistance while they are out on the road. Training content is offered via smart phone, tablet computer or laptop � in other words, on devices the driver already uses in his cab. It is tailored to the learning needs of the sector and can be adapted to the relevant context, taking account of previous knowledge, the driver, the vehicle, the load or the route......... Posted by: Jim      Read more         Source

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 04:05:59 GMT

Super Cars Of The Future

Several amazing concept (and possible production) super cars who are all using new technologies and new ways of designing the super car of the future. Posted by: Gerard      Read more     Source

October 14, 2010, 7:48 AM CT

Battling the force that wastes

Engine friction the force that wastes almost 1.4 million barrels of oil per day in cars and trucks in the United States alone could become less of a problem for fuel-conscious consumers thanks to promising new oils and other materials that researchers are in the process of developing. That's the topic of the cover story in the current issue of Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN), ACS' weekly newsmagazine.

C&EN Senior Business Editor Melody Voith notes that friction, the heat produced when objects rub together, wastes fuel in engines and other machinery and causes their parts to wear and eventually break down. One in every 10 gallons of gasoline in the average car goes to overcoming friction in the engine about 1.4 million barrels of oil wasted per day or almost $31 billion worth of fuel (at $60 per barrel) lost every year. But the article describes how high-tech lubricants and additives now in development could vastly reduce the effect of friction and improve energy efficiency in everything from car engines to power-generating wind turbines. That could improve the fuel economy of cars by 3-5 percent, as per one estimate.

Researchers are also trying to reduce wear on engine and machine parts, one of the consequences of increased friction, by designing tougher materials that can better withstand extreme heat and other harsh conditions. One promising approach is the use of nanoparticles super-strong particles just 1/50,000th the width of a human hair to coat engine parts and make them more slippery......... Posted by: Jim      Read more         Source

June 9, 2010, 6:54 AM CT

Stop or Speed Through a Yellow Light?

Transportation engineering PhD student Zhixia Li was attracted to the University of Cincinnati because of the real-world education and experience the university provides.

In return, he's headed a real-world project that every driver can relate to. It's a project on which he has presented and published nationally, and it looks at what he calls the "yellow light dilemma." Are you, as a driver, more likely to stop or to speed through a yellow light?.

Here's what he found when conducting research, in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Transportation, at intersections in Akron, Cleves and Fairfield, Ohio: Certain factors make it more likely that you'll opt to speed through an intersection rather than stop at the light.

The results of his research with his advisor Prof. Heng Wei, "Analysis of Drivers' Stopping Behaviors Linked to the Yellow Phase Dilemma Zone - An Empirical Study in Fairfield, OH," will be presented at the 2010 American Society of Highway Engineers National Conference on June 9-13, 2010, in Cincinnati, at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza.

So what are the factors that make us run the yellow? These include.

• Lane position: Drivers in the right lane are 1.6 times more likely to speed through a yellow light as in comparison to drivers in the left lane.
........


Posted by: Jim      Read more         Source

May 15, 2010, 9:03 PM CT

The future of the electric car

The spark was ignited more than 10 years ago by the arrival of the first hybrid vehicle in the market, a vehicle which combines a traditional combustion engine with an electric one. But since then the panorama has changed and we now speak of "total electrification" of cars; some consultants say that within 10 years the percentage of electric cars could even reach 25%. In addition, this could result in very important savings in energy and environmental benefits, based on the data from the sector. And in the case of the electric car, 46% of the energy released by batteries is spent in propulsion, which indicates an efficiency level that is between 10% and 30% higher, with respect to the conventional combustion engine.

The engineering revolution

From an engineering point of view, this is truly revolutionary, as per the Director of the UC3M Leganes School of Engineering, Professor Emilio Olías Ruiz, one of the speakers during these sessions. If the car of today, which runs on fossil fuels, has supposed a change.

This "green world" is just beginning. "There are a number of challenges to be met, which also makes it a world of technology research, development and innovation, to which this country is totally committed, and it is making a strong bid, for example, to have electronic vehicle manufacturing plants", said the Full Professor Vicente Díaz Lopez, Director of the UC3M "Duque de Santomauro" Instituto de Seguridad de los Vehículos Automoviles (Institute of Vehicle Safety) (ISVA), which organized this University conference, held May 6 and 7 in the Leganes Auditorium of this Madrid institution. "This will create a number of jobs, directly and indirectly, in addition to fomenting the synergy between the university and the business world, which I think is a desirable point and a generator for intellection and economic wealth", Díaz pointed out......... Posted by: Jim      Read more         Source

December 15, 2009, 0:08 AM CT

Disability Scooter

Quite simply put, mobility is life. When it comes to disabilities, a mobility scooter, or disability scooter, can be a blessing for those who are incapacitated. These electric power-operated vehicles are easier to use than wheelchairs and can get around with ease, even in tight spaces. However, to get from one place to other, and to do so repeatedly, the battery life should be long lasting. Buyers should also look at the recharging capabilities if they plan to use it extensively. A larger battery means more range, and a short re-charge time translates into less down-time.

Maneuverability is an essential feature for every mobility scooter. Depending on their movements, the space in which you want to use the scooter and the kind of physical limitations faced, focus on finding the best option for their needs. Customizable seat and handle positions, low vehicle weight and ease of operation top the list of factors governing the choice of such a scooter.

Tips on Picking the Ideal Disability Scooter

Buying a disability scooter requires a lot of thought; scooter manufacturers differentiate scooters on the basis of their usage, power, speed and performance. If you are planning to buy a disability scooter, use the following points to compare and select your ’wheels’........ Posted by: Jim      Read more         Source

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:03:21 GMT

Spa and Car in One

Renault has joined forces with cosmetics maker Biotherm to create the Zoe Z.E. electric car concept. The car is sporting a climate control system that is similar to a spa. In lieu of using air conditioning which can be hard on the skin, the Zoe keeps the air inside the car cool and hydrated, preventing the skin from drying out.

The car also deals with outside toxicity levels by shutting the car"s air vents when the built-in toxicity sensor detects one too many free radicals. But it just wouldn"t be a spa without soothing scents, so the car has been set up to diffuse essential oils created by Biotherm to keep the driver calm no matter what time of the day, using three different scents to take care of morning, noon, and night. Posted by: Sarah      Read more     Source

October 29, 2009, 11:11 PM CT

How safe is motorcycle ride?

One of the joys of riding a motorcycle is the freedom that comes with that form of travel. However the absence of physical barriers to protect riders puts motorcyclists at a higher risk of injury than other motorists. Motorcycle fatalities have been on the rise for a number of years, as per the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. Hence a group of scientists from the University of Miami (UM) and Florida International University (FIU) conducted one of the first longitudinal analyses of the effect of public policies to reduce motorcycle injuries and fatalities.

The scientists believe this study to be the first to use rigorous econometric techniques, to analyze whether traffic and alcohol policies affect non-fatal as well as fatal motorcycle injuries. The findings offer evidence that certain state policies can effectively reduce the morbidity and mortality linked to motorcycle riding. The findings were published in a recent issue of the Journal of Health Economics

As per the study, the most significant policy in reducing both fatal and non-fatal motorcycle injuries is the universal helmet laws. The findings indicate that about 489 lives could have been saved if universal helmet laws were in effect in all 48 states in 2005. The scientists also observed that required rider education programs can reduce non-fatal motorcycle injuries......... Posted by: Jim      Read more         Source

October 7, 2009, 7:13 AM CT

'Lamborghini Lab' brings composite parts to sports-car arena

A partnership between the University of Washington and the Italian sports-car company Automobili Lamborghini has been formalized, and the presidents of both organizations today attended the naming ceremony of the UW's Automobili Lamborghini Advanced Composite Structures Laboratory.

The UW is the first university in the country to collaborate with Lamborghini. The company has committed to provide substantial funding for lab equipment and support for UW undergraduate and graduate students.

"This partnership is a win-win situation," said Matthew O'Donnell, dean of the UW's College of Engineering. "It further establishes the Pacific Northwest as a leader in composites research, it funds equipment for a UW engineering lab and it provides students with valuable research experience that's directly tied to real-world applications."

The UW and Lamborghini have worked closely during the past two years. The UW lab has hosted Lamborghini engineers for month-long periods; UW faculty have traveled to Italy to conduct small classes on the fundamentals of composites design and certification; and the university has sent engineering graduate students for internships at Lamborghini's Bologna headquarters.

"Lamborghini remains committed to investing in its future, and advancing carbon fiber composite technologies is the key to achieving a number of of our goals," said Lamborghini president Stephan Winkelmann, who attended the ceremony. "The UW and its collaborations have enabled Automobili Lamborghini to proceed with confidence in the development of innovative, composite-intensive structures."........ Posted by: Jim      Read more         Source

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:05:30 GMT

Cars With 6 Wheels

Here is a collection of cars with 6 wheels or more from around the world.

C6W - The Six Wheel Sports Car: Ferruccio Covini conceptualized the original idea in "74, but the project was abandoned in favor of the Soleado project. The C6W is a two-seater with four wheels in the front, weighs just 1,150kg, has an Audi 4.2 litre V8 motor and is capable of reach speeds in excess of 300km/h. The prototype was introduced in 2004 at the Geneva Motor Show and now the vehicle is set for commercial production.

1977 Panther 6: This six-wheeled convertible is powered by twin turbo 8.2 litre Cadillac V8, with a claimed top speed of 200mph+.

T-Rex: "It"s powered by a V10, pumping out 350hp and 500 ft. lbs. torque. It breaths through a custom snorkel and Flowmaster dual exhaust. It has three 2.5 ton Rockwell axles with Detroit Lockers in each axle. Its only weakness is turning radius. This will be fixed with upcoming 6 wheel steering."

(Image: Credit).

Six-Wheel Hummer: It"s called the Hummer Blindado, outfitted by Security Pro USA, and it carries up to eight people. The extra two wheels provide the car with additional stability, according to the maker.

(Image credit: Credit).

Citroen"s Six Wheel Cruise Crosser: It"s an all-terrain concept car, features three axles and six wheels to tackle the roughest possible road and weather conditions. It also features an advanced satellite navigation system and DVD player.

Citroen Six Wheels: The owner of the car has told the interesting story of how he converted a standard Citroen estate into a "loadrunner" - Link

Six Wheel Camaro Sport Wagon: Roly Fernandez-built 1988 Camaro with dual rear axles.

(Image credit: cardomain).

Vityaz Transporter: It"s an all terrain Russian car, sure to take on roughest possible road.

2004 Mini XXL Stretch Limo: This six-wheel limo is six metre long, features the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit and was built by a specialist coach builder in Los Angeles.

Six wheel Range Rover:

The Tyrrell P34 (Project 34): Derek Gardner designed the six-wheel F1 car (commonly known as Project 34). "The car used specially manufactured 10-inch diameter wheels and tyres at the front with two ordinary sized wheels at the back." Just coming to think of it, if Derek Gardner had succeeded in his 6-wheel F1 car project, how different the F1 could have looked today!

March 2-4-0: This car followed on from a previous effort by Tyrrell P34 to introduce a six-wheeled car to F1 racing. The March Engineering Company of Bicester, UK, built it. But, the engineering concept behind the 2-4-0 was quite different.

Pat Clancy Special: Powered by a Meyer-Drake engine, it sported no less than six wheels; it was raced at the Indianapolis 500 in 1948. "The four wheels at the back were driven by two axles connected by a universal joint, making the Pat Clancy Special a four-wheel drive car."

Six-Wheel Pullman: "This six-wheel Pullman roamed York-area streets before giving way to thousands of four-wheel models." (Photo courtesy of York County Heritage Trust.)

More than Six Wheels:

Eliica: It"s an electric vehicle concept car designed by a team at Keio University in Tokyo. The 5.1 m (17 ft) car can accelerate from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in four seconds (faster than the Porsche 911 Turbo at the time).

KAZ: It"s a 6.7 m (22 ft) limousine-sized 8-wheel electric vehicle prototype, and Eliica is a refinement of it. This eight-wheeler is equipped with eight wheels and six of them are intended for turning, all of which are powered by an electric motor. It"s a luxury limousine concept introduced last 2001.

(Image credit: wiki).

Luxurious Limo: 8 wheel Posted by: Venus      Read more     Source

August 11, 2009, 11:14 PM CT

Risks from medications and driving

Most older drivers are unaware of the potential impact on driving performance linked to taking medications, as per new research from the Center for Injury Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). The findings, released recently by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, indicate that 95 percent of those age 55 and older have one or more medical conditions, 78 percent take one or more medications, and only 28 percent have an awareness of the risks those medications might have on driving ability.

The scientists surveyed 630 drivers ages 56 to 93. Only 18 percent reported receiving a warning from a health-care professional about potential driver-impairing (PDI) medications such as ACE inhibitors, sedatives and beta-blockers. The study observed that such warnings do not increase with increasing numbers of medications used or increasing numbers of medical conditions.

"These findings indicate that health-care professionals need to take a more active role in educating their patients about the risks of PDI medications," said Paul MacLennan, Ph.D., assistant professor of surgery at UAB and the study's main author. "Society needs to understand that PDI medications are a driving-safety issue, and there is a need for increased education geared at older drivers, their families and health professionals"......... Posted by: Jim      Read more         Source

August 4, 2009, 8:18 AM CT

Hybrid vehicle rebates produce scant environmental benefits

Despite major costs to taxpayers in the U.S. and Canada, government programs that offer rebates to hybrid vehicle buyers are failing to produce environmental benefits, a new UBC study says.

The study finds that hybrid sales have come largely at the expense of small, relatively fuel-efficient, conventional cars, rather than large SUVs, trucks and vans, which produce substantially greater carbon emissions.

"If the intention of rebate programs is to replace gas guzzlers with hybrids, they are failing," says Ambarish Chandra, a professor at UBC's Sauder School of Business and co-author of study. He says large vehicle sales have risen steadily since the introduction of hybrid rebates.

"People are choosing hybrids over similarly priced small- and medium-sized conventional cars, which are not far behind hybrids for fuel efficiency and emissions," says Chandra. "The reductions in carbon emissions are therefore not great".

The study also finds that the majority of consumers who purchase hybrids were not motivated to do so by government rebates, says Chandra, whose co-authors include Sumeet Gulati, assistant professor in UBC's Dept. of Food and Resource Economics, and Milind Kandlikar of UBC's Liu Institute for Global Issues and Institute of Asian Research......... Posted by: Jim      Read more         Source

July 27, 2009, 11:20 PM CT

Yawn alert for weary drivers

We've all experienced it after long hours driving, the eyelids getting heavy, a deep yawn, neck muscles relaxing, the urge to sleep, the head nodding down. But, you're hands are still on the wheel and you only just stopped yourself nodding off in time to avoid the oncoming traffic.

But what if your car could keep an eye on you while you drive and nudge you when you starting yawning and warn you to pull over and take a break? That's the aim of a new in-car yawn-detection system being developed by an international team in the US and India.

Writing in the inaugural issue of the International Journal of Computational Vision and Robotics, Aurobinda Mishra of Vanderbilt University, in Nashville, TN, and his colleagues Mihir Mohanty of ITER, in Orissa and Aurobinda Routray of IIT, West Bengal, India, describe a computer program that can tell when you are yawning and could prevent road traffic accidents.

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that at least 100,000 road crashes are caused by driver fatigue each year.

The new program is based around an in-car camera hooked up to image-processing software that captures a sequence of images of the driver's face. It then analyses changes in the face and accurately identifies yawning as distinct from other facial movements such as smiling, talking, and singing. The yawn frequency is then correlated with fatigue behavior and could then be hooked up to a warning system to alert drivers to the need to take a break......... Posted by: Jim      Read more         Source

June 28, 2009, 6:18 PM CT

Opt For Rented Cars

Are you planning a trip to Lihue? If you want travelling to be hassle-free then car rental is the best viable option for commuting. To pamper your traveling impulses just throw yourself in a car in which you can move around at your will and take in the awe-inspiring panoramic view of this holiday spot. Make your vacation at Lihue, a rich sight-seeing experience with facilities of Lihue car rental provided by top most auto agencies. Whatever kind of car you need, whether it is economy, luxury or prestige, there are numerous companies ready to cater to your transportation needs.

Most companies assure their clients with alluring insurance coverage that implies total security and peace of mind. Top most agencies give paramount importance to the client's safety by including a waiver which protects you against collision damage. The car rental agencies in Lihue, Hawaii have a wide variety of vehicle types and rates.

Things to be noted before hiring a car

Always carefully eyeball your vehicle before leaving the rental agency. The last renter may have damaged the car and you may be the unlucky one, ending up paying for someone else's fault!

Prior scratches, dents, and other vehicle damage can cause extra trouble and costs if not noted before you leave the rental car lot......... Posted by: Jim      Read more         Source

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 02:33:33 GMT

A large red quart into a very pint pot

The Nimik 2CV is a Citroen 2CV van. With a Ferrari V8, 3.5 litre engine squeezed into the back seat. Boys will be boys….[Video]

 Here is the first video of the NIMIK 2CV. You were surprised when we unveiled it, at our factory. Then, you’ve seen it winning the 2009 edition of My Special Car. Now, you’ll be shocked to see how fast it can eat the tarmac while we ride on our roads it’s horses. Posted by: Redferret      Read more     Source

May 19, 2009, 8:18 PM CT

Hawaii Car Rentals

If you are on vacation to the Big Island, Hawaii car rentals is one of the best options you have to reach your favorite destinations. You can find affordable Hawaii car rentals that suit your needs, without much effort. Hawaii car rentals also offer several car classes, which include economy, compact, convertible, jeep wrangler, SUV, premium, luxury, 12 or 15 passenger van, pick up truck or cargo van. Also, if you have reserved a Hawaiian cruise vacation on your itinerary, you can even consider Hawaii cruise ship car rentals.

Hawaii Car Rentals: Vacationing

The paradise island of Hawaii is every vacationer's dream, given its natural beauty. The impressive altitude and latitude of the island and the several telescopes mounted on Mt. Mauna Kea makes it an astronomer's delight. Tourists can also enjoy activities, such as whale watching cruises, air tours, snorkeling and deep-sea diving. The island comprises black sand beaches, formed of lava eruptions from Kilauea volcano, which is the world's most active volcano. Some of the best and the most popular vacationing spots in the Big Island are Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Mauna Kea, Akaka Falls, and its various botanical gardens.

Hawaii Car Rentals: Other Benefits
A glimpse into certain exciting discounts and waivers offered by Hawaii Car rentals:

• Lower rates for corporate vacationers
• Free drives for spouses and domestic partners
• US military personnel aged between 18 and 20 years get waiver
• Free upgrades, unlimited mileage and grace periods

If you are interested in vacationing at the Big Island, visit the website hawaiicarrentals.net and choose the best Hawaii car rentals for your needs. Our partnership with industry leaders, such as Thrifty, Dollar, Enterprise, Avis and Budget enables us to offer you the services of assured last minute reservations and monthly rentals, among others


Posted by: Jim      Read more         Source

April 23, 2009, 5:27 AM CT

"Congestion pricing" could solve the problem of airport delays

In London, motorists pay a fee to drive into certain parts of the city during peak traffic hours, and the idea has been considered for implementation in New York as well. Now Dr. Itai Ater, an economist from Tel Aviv University's Faculty of Management, is suggesting that introducing "congestion pricing" at airports could save travellers time and airlines money.

"What I propose is a policy to reduce the amount of delays in the airline industry," says Dr. Ater. Airlines that want to use an airport's runways during the busiest times of the day, he says, should pay an additional fee. This price for premium access to the runway could reduce airport congestion - and the inevitable delays, as well as the risks, linked to crowded skies.

Dr. Ater will present his advice at the National Bureau of Economic Research conference in Boston this May. His aim is to spare airlines from future catastrophes as airports, and skies, get busier.

How the Pennies (and Minutes) Add Up

"Airport congestion is a big problem in the U.S. and around the world," says Dr. Ater, who reviewed flight records from America's busiest airports for his doctoral thesis at Stanford University. "The estimated annual costs of delays are $10 billion. When there are delays on take off or landing, a cascading effect is created, with lots of associated problems, risks and financial costs," he says......... Posted by: Jim      Read more         Source

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 04:05:22 GMT

Classic Motorcycles to Appear at Pebble Beach

This guy must have been nuts. Wearing only a bathing suit, Roland "Rollie" Free rode "Gunga Din," a Vincent HRD V-Twin, the ninth in the new Black Shadow series, to a smouldering 150.313 mph in 1947, smashing the previous American speed record and establishing a new world record for unstreamlined and unsupercharged bikes. The bike was subsequently called Black Lightning and a similarly named series of race bikes was introduced. First owned by racing enthusiast John Edgar and now by Herb Harris of Austin, Texas, it had just two legal owners throughout its history.

Black Lightning will be among a select group of motorcycles, including Vincents, Brough Superiors, Nortons, BSAs, Velocettes, Triumphs, and Ariels, which will debut on the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links as the 2009 concours opens its gates to vintage bikes. It is inviting motorcycles to appear on its show field for the first time so if you own a classic here's your chance to appear among the elite before the field becomes crowded. Hopefully owners will be invited to ride in the Tour as hearing and seeing old bikes on the road is part of the pleasure. Posted by: Philip Powell      Read more     Source