National Express, a leading transport giant in the UK has pulled curtains on the experiment involving bio fuels. Pulling the plug has nothing to do with the running costs or the technology involved. There are reports that suggest that burning bio fuels could actually increase the rise of carbon-di-oxide in the air. Concerns are growing that the production of bio fuels could destroy natural habitats and increase the cost of food farming. Tests have proved that carbon emissions have increased from bio fuels due to intensive farming methods needed to produce bio fuel crops such as sugar cane and rapeseed.

National Express has vowed to find alternative sources of energy to contribute to the green movement. They are interested in investing in second generation bio fuels that are based out of straw and woodchips.

Investment in biofuels has recently been seen as a good way for companies to improve their environmental image. BP has announced a new production project with alternative energy group D1 Oils, while Virgin Trains is currently trialling biodiesel on one of its Voyager trains. Virgin Atlantic is also set to test the fuels in planes in partnership with Boeing.

Government regulations mean that by 2010 5% of all fuel sold on UK forecourts must be derived from biofuels. This could save up to one million tonnes of carbon a year - or the same as taking one million cars off the road.

via Channel 4

IBM seems to have drafted a blueprint to solve the transport problem in the UK by going wireless. The IT giant plans on introducing devices in cars that interact with each other to avert wrecks and to get a hang of the oncoming traffic in junctions.

The report from IBM also predicts that GPS, satellites and a network of sensors will be used to create an intelligent system for managing the UK's roads – controlling traffic lights to ease congestion and clearing paths for emergency vehicles.

Bus commuters will be informed of possible bus delays by sending messages on their mobile phones. Wireless system is likely to be implemented at airports too to minimize the delay in security checks and checkout process. It is also expected to reduce the number of lost luggages.

At this moment, all these proposals are in the budding stages and will surely take a miracle to implement it successfully. Wireless solutions for transport problems are never heard but if it takes off successfully, major cities around the globe might be experiencing a revolution in their traffic management systems.

via vnunet