MOTORING

Hyundai Motor Unveils Its Electric Double-Decker Bus In Korea

Powered with a 384 kWh water-cooled high-efficiency polymer battery

09 June 2019 From Paul Münzner Filed Under: 2019, Featured, MOTORING

Hyundai Motor took a break from its N car series to unveil an electric double-decker bus on May 29, 2019, in Seoul, South Korea. This is a first for the giant motor company, and it is part of their efforts to improve traffic congestion problems and help reduce air pollution. The project, which the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport supported, commenced in 2017 and it took Hyundai 18 months to develop their first-ever electric double-decker bus.

Hyundai’s Electric Double-Decker Bus Accommodates Up to 70 Passengers

The innovative zero-emission public transport was showcased at the “Land Infrastructure and Transport Technology Fair” held in South Korea which Hyundai co-hosted together with the National Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport. The event lasted from May 29 to 31.

Hyundai Motor Introduces Electric Double-Decker Bus front — (Hyundai)

The electric double-decker bus can accommodate up to 70 passengers, with 11 seats available on its first floor, and 59 on its second floor. This is 1.5 times as many passengers as what a regular bus can seat. The eco-friendly double-decker also secures added convenience and accessibility for passengers with disabilities and impaired mobility by implementing a low floor design, automatic sliding ramp, and fixed-in-space wheelchairs.

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Self-Sufficient Tilburg Bus Station Transport Hub in The Netherlands by Cepezed

Self-Sufficient Tilburg Bus Station Transport Hub in Full Action

The bus may be massive at 12,990 mm long and a height of 3,995 mm, but it does have rear-wheel steering to help its driver navigate city streets. Its suspension system is also independent in the first driving axle to provide passengers with a very relaxing and comfortable drive. On the other hand, the combination of a 240kW wheel motor axle and motor in the second axle reduces electricity loss.

The company powered the all-new electric bus with a 384 kWh water-cooled high-efficiency polymer battery to live up to its promise of reducing vehicle emissions while increasing efficiency at the same time. The maximum driving range of the bus on a single charge is 300km. With a full charge only taking around 72 minutes, everything sounds very promising indeed.

Hyundai Motor Introduces Electric Double-Decker Bus front left — (Hyundai)

Hyundai Motor Introduces Electric Double-Decker Bus Side left — (Hyundai)

Intelligent Pedestrian Traffic Lights Recognizes Pedestrians’ Intent to Cross the Road

Implementation by the end of 2020

02 June 2019 From Paul Münzner Filed Under: 2019, Featured, MOTORING

Vienna has found an intelligent solution to reducing the delays and annoyance pedestrians experience in the Austrian capital every time they want to cross the road. And that solution is to make the traffic lights which control the crossings intelligent enough themselves to know when the lights need to change to green.

Being a traffic light in #Vienna #Austria can be very exciting. Following the #Ampelpaerchen revamp, pedestrian signals in Vienna have now learned to think https://t.co/OYKSTK5fCH @tugraz_csbme @Stadt_Wien #traffic #safety #computervision #pedestrians (© Günther Pichler GmbH) pic.twitter.com/ZfV2ui6lzC
— TU Graz (@tugraz) May 27, 2019

It has been developed by researchers at TU Graz’s Institute of Computer Graphics and Vision for the capital’s Municipal Department 33 and will bring an end to button pushing at pedestrian crossings in the city. Additionally, it will reduce the amount of time wasted waiting for the lights to change from a red image of a walking man to a green one, and so signal that it’s safe for people to cross the road.

Camera Picks up Pedestrians’ Intention to Cross Road

The camera-based system is designed to pick up that pedestrians are approaching as soon as they enter an eight by five meter field. And within one second it will make an initial estimation of how many of them intend to cross the road. A more reliable estimation a second later will trigger a signal to the pedestrian light controller, causing it to react as it would to the button being pushed. This will ensure the traffic lights turn red, while pedestrians are given the green light to cross.

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“The green phase can be extended in the case of large groups of persons, who require more time to cross the road. And if persons leave the waiting area before the lights have turned to green, this is also passed on to the lights. The traffic lights subsequently don’t switch to green and there are no unnecessary waiting times for motorized traffic,” says Horst Possegger from the Institute of Computer Graphics and Vision of the University of Graz. The system can recognize whoever likes to cross the road in a few seconds. “It requires one second to estimate the intention – after two seconds the estimation becomes reliable. Using the current configurations, our system signals that wish to cross three to four seconds before the button is pushed.”

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Self-Sufficient Tilburg Bus Station Transport Hub in Full Action

Implementation Planned for End of 2020

Should the system indicate that several people will be crossing at the same time, the green light will stay on for a longer period. And should they change their mind about crossing, the light does not change to green.

It took TU Graz researchers two years to develop the system which is expected to be installed on and in pedestrian lights in Vienna by the end of 2020. Among the biggest challenges was the small size of the traffic light’s switch box in which the hardware for a powerful local computer had to be housed. Another was the need for the system to be able to run at all times, in any weather, and in spite of any fluctuations in voltage. A monitor also had to be included to detect and report any faults.

Self-Sufficient Tilburg Bus Station Transport Hub in Full Action

Self-Sufficiency with 250m² Solar Panels

11 May 2019 From Paul Münzner Filed Under: 2019, Featured, MOTORING

The newly designed Tilburg Bus Station by Cepezed in The Netherlands was formally opened to the public. The common transport facility has a length of more than 160 meters. It features a triangular, minimalistic circuit and uses an ETFE-foil for its awning cover. The positions of the bus are organized around its outer side where six are for boarding, and one is for deboarding.

250m² solar panels supply Tilburg Bus Station with energy for the lighting, digital information signs, and heating of the waiting benches and staff room etc.

The bus station’s circular shape starts narrow near its entrance and then widens on its West side. Within its circular route overlooking the station is a multi-functional pavilion with a pleasant transparent facade that folds open. The structure has lunch and rest areas for all bus drivers, as well as an information point called Arriva for a catering stall.

Self-Sufficient Tilburg Bus Station Transport Hub by night in The Netherlands by Cepezed — (Cepezed)

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Cepezed uses a minimalistic approach in the detailing of the bus station but combined it with a profoundly integrated design. This style can be seen in the structure’s slender columns which were incorporated with electric cabling, intercom, SOS button, and water drainage. On the other hand, its central load-bearing stability beam, which was built using folded sheet steels, also serves as the building’s rainwater drainage. And thanks to the solar panels implemented on the awning, the transport hub can produce its own source of energy for its digital info signs, integrated heating, lighting, staff room, waiting benches, and more.

Inclusiveness is another aspect that was given importance in the design of the bus station. The elevated terrace with handrails between them can be easily reached by wheelchairs via a ramp. Braille signings are also provided on the platforms.

Cepezed worked on the entire project with passion and dedication unlike no other to create an energy-neutral bus station where travelers can go to their destination conveniently and comfortably. Since its opening, the distinct public transport hub has been utilized by plenty of travelers every day.

Far view of Self-Sufficient Tilburg Bus Station Transport Hub in The Netherlands by Cepezed — (Cepezed)

Self-Sufficient Tilburg Bus Station Transport Hub in The Netherlands by Cepezed with bus — (Cepezed)

Self-Sufficient Tilburg Bus Station Transport Hub in The Netherlands by Cepezed with heated benches — (Cepezed)

Self-Sufficient Tilburg Bus Station Transport Hub in The Netherlands by Cepezed with solar panels — (Cepezed)

By 2030: Amsterdam Bans Combustion Engines

"Pollution often is a silent killer"

05 May 2019 From Paul Münzner Filed Under: 2019, Featured, MOTORING

As announced by Amsterdam’s city council, petrol and diesel cars, as well as motorbikes, are not allowed to drive within the city boundaries of Netherlands capital Amsterdam. This “traffic adjustment” will not be abrupt. “Pollution often is a silent killer and is one of the greatest health hazards in Amsterdam,” said Sharon Dijksma, Amsterdam’s traffic councilor, when announcing the plans.

City of Amsterdam to ban polluting cars by 2030. Initiative starts next year with ban on diesel cars built before 2005. https://t.co/kkravbdL8g
— CBC News Alerts (@CBCAlerts) May 2, 2019

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Amsterdam bans carss 2030 step by step - municipality action plan — Step by step to a combustion engine free Amsterdam (Municipality of Amsterdam)

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Due to the latest action plan of the city council, combustion engines will be discarded step by step by means of clear characteristics. Beginning of 2020, vehicles with diesel engines older than 15 years will not be allowed to enter the A10 ring road. In the second phase, two years later, only emission-free public buses and coaches and other vehicles with Euro 6 standard can enter the city center. By 2025, the ban will be extended. No non-emission-free water vehicles, taxis, vans, trucks cars, mopeds and light mopeds are allowed to drive within the A10 ring. As from the first of January 2030, it will be impossible to legally enter the built-up area in Amsterdam due to the Clean Air Action plan.

Bogota Bans Cars Every Sunday And People Approve!

The weekly event tagged as Ciclovía, starts at 7 am and runs until 2 pm

23 April 2019 From Paul Münzner Filed Under: 2019, Featured, MOTORING

Bogota, Colombia – the country’s capital city is noise and stress-free from more than 1.6 million private vehicles, 50,000 taxis, 9,000 buses, and around 500,000 motorcycles. Is it a miracle? Certainly not!

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Santa Barbara Business Center - Water Urban Wetland in Bogota Colombia overview designed by Obraestudio

Urban Wetland in Bogota – Santa Barbara Business Center

Every Sunday and holidays, Bogotanos get the unique opportunity to have the city for themselves and fall in love with it again and again. The weekly event tagged as Ciclovía, starts at 7 am and runs until 2 pm, provides the community with a rare chance to enjoy a little fresh air along its 75 miles stretches of highways and avenues. People can ride any non-motor mode of transport here such as their bikes, scooters, skateboards, roller skates, and wheelchairs.

Around 1.5 million Bogotanos go to Sunday Ciclovía to eat, dance, and watch other people go about their activities. You’ll find wanderer-filled sidewalk cafes with their canine companions nearby just alongside their chairs or baby strollers beside them.

There are also Fun Stops or recreovia at the Ciclovía where an amazing salsa band entertains passersby. There is something for everyone here, from Zumba sessions to those wanting to get in shape to orange juice and fruit salad sold at the curbside for the inspirationally fit.

The entire program is being run by Bibiana Sarmiento, who 14 years ago was a young skater and Ciclovía’s guardián. According to Sarmiento, “The most important thing is the social fabric that gets woven (among people who use) the Ciclovía.”

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Bibiana Sarmiento and her team who are working for free are always on the lookout for innovative activities to offer Bogotanos such as bike lessons twice a month for any age group and spaces along bike paths where parents can spend a relaxing time with their kids.

According to Sarmiento, the main objective of their project is for the citizens of Bogota to gain control of its public spaces. For her, the most vital part here is the social framework formed amidst the Bogotans using the Ciclovía.

Source: National Geographic