Transportation

Speedier Security Screening in the Palm of the Hand
Though pat downs are currently an essential element of keeping travelers safe at the airport, it slows the screening process for people waiting in line and can be an uncomfortable experience for the passenger being screened. Reducing the need for pat downs may soon be easier.
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Red Sea Attacks: Why Arab Nations Won't Join Naval Coalition
The U.S. has announced a naval coalition to protect shipping from Houthi attacks, but only one Middle Eastern country has joined. Why have others — like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt — not done so? Each of these states has its own reasons, but analysts say that the one thing the three powers have in common is the fact that they don’t want to be seen as working in defense of Israel.
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Rail Industry Urged to Consider Safety Risks of Space Weather
Solar storms can trigger powerful magnetic disturbances on Earth, creating geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) which could potentially interfere with electricity transmission and distribution grids. Train accidents could be caused by solar storms switching signaling from red to green according to new research examining the impact of space weather.
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A Self-Service Screening Option Coming to the Airport Near You
Self-service screening is coming to airport checkpoints, thanks to the Science and Technology Directorate’s Screening at Speed Program. A pilot of a new self-service screening system is scheduled to begin in January at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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“Do Your Job.” How the Railroad Industry Intimidates Employees Into Putting Speed Before Safety
Railroad companies have penalized workers for taking the time to make needed repairs and created a culture in which supervisors threaten and fire the very people hired to keep trains running safely. Regulators say they can’t stop this intimidation.
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Fire-Tested Systems Help Crews Survive Truck Burn-Overs
Terrifying moments when flames can overrun and burn over a fire truck are called flashover or burn-over. While firefighters have strategies and operational procedures to minimize risk, these dangerous events still occur and can be fatal. Water spray systems are protecting fire trucks and firefighters from burn-overs.
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Regulators Blast Union Pacific for Running Unsafe Trains
The nation’s largest freight rail carrier failed to fix and continued to use faulty equipment, according to the Federal Railroad Administration. Managers reportedly pressured inspectors to leave the yard so they could keep freight moving.
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Canada Should Develop Zeppelin Technology for Northern Resource Sector
When we think of airships, images of the Goodyear blimp, the zeppelin, or the Hindenburg come to mind. But the technology which appeared to have peaked a century ago is making a comeback, with investors and researchers showing growing interest.
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Railroads May Use Their Monopoly Power to Buffer Coal Plants from a Carbon Emissions Tax
Railroads are likely to cut transportation prices to prop up coal-fired plants if U.S. climate policies further disadvantage coal in favor of less carbon-intensive energy sources. A new study argues that “If policymakers ignore real distortions in the market, like monopoly power in rail shipping, their climate policy efforts may not achieve the intended results.”
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Bolstering Cyber Safety on Roads and Highways
A new research center is helping prevent potential cyberattacks that could threaten to impede the safe and efficient movement of people and goods in the United States and throughout the world.
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Titan Destroyed by “Catastrophic Implosion”
The U.S. Coast Guard announced Thursday afternoon that the Titan submersible was likely destroyed by a catastrophic implosion. The Titan joins a sad, and long, list of lethal maritime accidents.
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Decrease in Rainfall in Central America Could Cut Off the Panama Canal
To see the economic consequences of global warming look no further than the Panama Canal. There, water levels are down because of less rain in Central America. Experts fear ordinary consumers may end up paying the price.
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Solar-Powered Airships Could Make Air Travel Climate-Friendly
Flying is the most damaging mode of transportation for our climate. At least, up until now. Researchers are investigating technical alternatives to conventional aircraft, and one such alternative is the old-fashioned airship, equipped with solar panels.
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Paving the Way for Electric Vehicle Adoption
For many car owners, their next purchase will be an EV. But as many current EV owners know, the environmental benefits of battery-powered cars come with a tradeoff and that tradeoff is the driving distance existing battery technology can support. The problem is the battery, specifically how much energy they can store, their longevity, and how long they take to charge.
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Will the Charging Networks Arrive in Time?
MIT Mobility Forum considers whether startups can provide the infrastructure for electric vehicles, or if more automakers must step in.
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