You are on page 1of 7

Research Essay: Gongping

Flexible, Accessible, Integrated, and Renewable:


FAIR Transport to Move Your World!
Guilins Transportation Problem
Just east of Guilin lies the fair city of Gongping (2164 population: 123,456). Gongping is located
on the Li River in the beautiful Guangxi region of mountainous south-central China. Due to the
forethought of its engineers, Gongping developed an efficient and environmentally-sound
transportation system that moves the world!

It wasnt always like this. In the early-2000s, a population explosion occurred in Chinas coastal
cities, including Shanghai and Beijing. By the early-2100s, growth expanded to interior cities.
People from the countryside relocated to cities such as Guilin seeking opportunities and jobs.
Back in 2014, Guilin was a quiet tourist center of six-hundred thousand known for amazing karst
landscapes. By 2140, it had over 17 million people and a transportation infrastructure that couldnt
keep up with growth.
Higher incomes increased demand for the independence of personal vehicles. Roads and highways
became jammed with slow-moving traffic. Too many people and limited land increased housing
costs. Parking spaces were difficult to find. Dense smog from vehicle emissions made it hard to
see and breathe. Guilins traffic congestion and pollution crisis was a population density problem.

Xin-Guilin Needed a Better Transportation System


Personal vehicle mobility allowed residents to escape traffic and pollution and move outside of
Guilin. Satellite cities soon formed. One of them was Xin-Guilin, which means New Guilin.
As Xin-Guilin grew, its Engineering Team developed a transportation system to prevent traffic
and environmental problems and help Guilin recover. This brilliant team created FAIR Transport,
a solution that is Flexible, Accessible, Integrated, and Renewable. Soon, Xin-Guilin was renamed
Gongping, which means FAIR!

Research Essay: Gongping

How Does FAIR Work?


FAIR Transport is a total solution for transportation pollution and congestion:

FAIR is Flexible
Flexibility is an Intermodality feature of FAIR. Its infrastructure links personal vehicles,
mass transit, and cargo systems at subhubs. All lines meet at Grand Central Transit, the
main subhub. Personal vehicles recharge at subhubs, and vertical parking reduces wasted
space of parking lots.
GongpingPod personal vehicles are modular and expandable to satisfy everyones needs.
They click into and out of the elevated mass transit system. StraddleTrams provide
convenience for local routes, while elevated tubes offer city-wide links. The elevated
systems, along with subterranean cargo transport, minimize road traffic.

FAIR is Accessible
With FAIR, there are no physical or economic barriers. Access is through the LifeWatch
holographic, voice-activated communication system. LifeWatch, which knows each
persons needs, is linked with the IntelliGrid.
Terrace-Option Parking (TOP) provides building-side vertical parking and easy access for
elderly or physically-challenged residents. Residents can enter buildings directly from
their vehicles. TOP also expands living space, since pods can morph into small balconies.

FAIR is Integrated
Integration is another Intermodality FAIR feature. Residential, commercial, and industrial
districts are interconnected. FAIR provides easy links within Gongping and to locations
beyond. Subhubs assist with seamless movement between districts and the agricultural
zone. In addition, modular scalability allows for easy expansion to accommodate future
growth.

Research Essay: Gongping

FAIR is Renewable
A closed-loop system called TIPS (Thermal-Induction-Piezo-Solar) generates more
renewable energy than it consumes. TIPS is a Sustainability feature of FAIR:

Energy Generation
Energy is generated by the Photovoltaic-PiezoPad-Pavement (P4) Roadways. Photovoltaic
surface cells harvest solar energy. Piezoelectric energy from GongpingPod traffic and
thermal energy from the sun are also collected by piezo-generators below the P4-Roadway
surface.

Energy Storage & Transfer


Thermal, solar, and piezoelectric energy is stored in graphene supercapcitors at subhubs.
As GongpingPods travel over P4-Roadways, continuous induction charging fully powers
their internal graphene supercapacitor batteries. Stored energy also powers mass transit
and cargo systems.

Accessibility is FAIR
FAIR addresses Intermodality through its Flexibility and Integrated system. Sustainability is
addressed through closed-loop Renewable energy. FAIRs most important factor, however, is
Accessibility. FAIR insures that all Gongpingians and visitors have access, since there are no
physical or economic barriers.
LifeWatch and TOP, as well as self-driving capability, assist the elderly and those with physical
challenges. There are GongpingPod options for all income levels. One can own a GongpingPod
or pick one up at any subhub. If everyone didnt have access, it just wouldnt be FAIR!

Research Essay: Gongping

FAIR is Safe
Gongpings Engineering Team implemented FAIR to insure safety for all users.

LifeWatch is adaptive to each persons schedule and needs.


The triple-redundant IntelliGrid insures the system is always operational.
The carbon-negative system produces excess energy and always has power.
Thermal energy collection keeps P4-Roadway surfaces cool for pedestrians.
Biomimetic Blowfly-Eye surface solar cells increase energy efficiency and improve
traction.
Continuous induction charging is only activated when coupled with matching pod coils.
GongpingPods are electromagnetically shielded.
Hovering LifeBots assist with elevated transit rescue needs and fire-resistant materials
are used throughout.

Tradeoffs
Originally, Gongpingians expressed concern over FAIRs implementation and maintenance costs.
After long-term benefits were explained, however, community buy-in resulted:

Gongping has near full employment and a strong tax base. FAIRs implementation did
not require tax increases.
The revenue stream from excess energy production helps FAIR pay for itself within
2 years.
Congestion free P4-Roadways minimize commute times and reduce stress.
Reduced environmental impact improves overall health.

Brilliant Engineers Insured Success


Several engineering disciplines made FAIR possible:

Electrical engineers developed the TIPS sustainable energy system.


Materials engineers created solar cells, piezoelectric materials, and graphene
supercapacitor technologies.
Architectural engineers designed TOP.
Controls engineers developed LifeWatch communication and IntelliGrid systems.
Transportation engineers created designs for movement of people and goods.

Civil engineers, however, were most crucial to FAIRs success. They designed the infrastructure
and accessibility systems and developed an efficient, effective transportation solution on time and
within budget. In addition, they coordinated all other engineers involved with FAIRs
implementation.
FAIR transport prevents traffic congestion and transportation environmental problems in
developing cities. It is also a blueprint to recovery for cities impacted by traffic infrastructure
crises from high population densities. FAIR Transport: developed by engineers to move your
world!
Text without Title = 959 Words
3 Graphics: 4+20+14 = 38 Words
Total: 959+38 = 997 Words

Research Essay: Gongping

Works Cited
Ahn, Seungyoung, Nam Pyo Suh, and Dong-Ho Cho. The All-Electric Car You Never Plug In.
IEEE, 26 Mar. 2013. Web. 26 Oct. 2013.
<http://spectrum.ieee.org/green-tech/advanced-cars/the-allelectric-car-you-never-plugin>.
Alter, Lloyd. Straddle Bus May be Coming Down the Road Soon. Treehugger, 11 Sep. 2013. Web.
3 Dec. 2013.
< http://www.treehugger.com/public-transportation/straddle-bus-may-be-coming-downroad-soon.html>
Anthony, Sebastian. Graphene Supercapcitors Created with Traditional Paper Making Process,
Rivals Lead-Acid Battery Capacity. ExtremeTech, 5 Aug. 2013. Web. 3 Dec. 2013.
< http://www.extremetech.com/computing/163071-graphene-supercapacitors-createdwith-traditional-paper-making-process-rivals-lead-acid-battery-capacity>
Bechynsky, Vit. Snap Concept Offers Personal Railroad Travel. Futuristic News. Web. 26 Oct. 2013.
<http://psipunk.com/snap-concept-offers-personal-railroad-travel-by-vit-bechynsky/>.
Berlinger, Joshua. Fastest Growing Cities on the Planet. Business Insider, 19 Oct. 2012. Web.
26 Oct. 2013.
<http://www.businessinsider.com/fastest-growing-cities-on-the-planet-2012-10>.
Bhattarai, Abha. Zipcar Gains Two Competitors for Washington Drivers. The Washington Post.
Web. 9 Nov. 2013.
<http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-03-25/business/35448103_1_zipcar-smartcars-hertz>
Bradford, Philip. Battery Design Gets Boost from Aligned Carbon Nanotubes. NC State University
Newsroom, 6 Aug. 2013. Web. 3 Dec. 2013.
<http://news.ncsu.edu/releases/df-cntbatteries/>
Brewster, Signe. What is Graphene? Heres What You Need to Know About a Material that Could be
the Next Silicon. Gigaom, 15 July 2013. Web. 3 Dec. 2013.
< http://gigaom.com/2013/07/15/what-is-graphene-heres-what-you-need-to-knowabout-a-material-that-could-be-the-next-silicon/>
Camouflage Tech Makes Cars Look Transparent. Tech News Daily, 7 Nov. 2012. Web. 26
Oct. 2013.
<http://www.technewsdaily.com/15368-camouflage-tech-cars-transparent.html>
Capdevila, Ivan. Highway Robbery: Piezoelectric Roadways." More Than Green, 5 June 2012. Web.
9 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.morethangreen.es/en/robo-de-energia-carreteras-piezoelectricas/>
Christensen, Bill. "In-Road Electric Vehicle Charger. Technovelgy, 11 Oct. 2009. Web. 26 Oct. 2013.
<http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Science-Fiction-News.asp?NewsNum=2591>

Research Essay: Gongping

Devonshire-Ellis, Chris. "China's Fastest Growing Cities: The Demographics. China Briefing News,
5 Nov. 2010. Web. 26 Oct. 2013.
<http://www.china-briefing.com/news/2010/11/05/chinas-fastest-growing-cities-thedemographics.html>.
"Fly Eye Paves the Way for Manufacturing Biomimetic Surfaces." Biomimicry News, 28 July 2010.
Web. 9 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.biomimicrynews.com/research/Fly_eye_paves_the_way_for_manufacturing_
biomimetic_surfaces.asp>.
Futuristic Benefits of Solar Roadways." Green Energy. Web. 26 Oct. 2013.
<http://cleangreenenergyzone.com/futuristic-benefits-of-solar-roadways/>
Gates, Sara. "Volkswagen Hover Car: Are Flying Cars The Model Of The Future?" The Huffington
Post, 8 May 2012. Web. 9 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/08/volkswagen-hover-flying-carnevada_n_1499501.html>.
Grozdanic, Lidija. Giant Lane-Straddling Land Airbus Could be Coming to China. Inhabit,
15 Sep. 2013. Web. 4 Dec. 2013.
<http://inhabitat.com/land-airbus-straddling-bus-as-the-future-of-public-transportationin-the-city/>
"Guilin." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. 2013, Web. 9 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/324390/Guilin>.
Guilin and Lijiang River. National Park of China. Web. 1. Dec. 2013.
<http://www.nationalparkofchina.com/guilin.html>
Guilin Facts. China Highlights, 21 Aug. 2013. Web. 1 Dec. 2013.
<http://www.chinahighlights.com/guilin/guilin-facts.htm>
Guttridge, Nicola. "Scientists Cast a Flys Eye." Physics World, 6 Aug. 2010. Web. 9 Nov. 2013.
<http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/2010/aug/06/scientists-cast-a-flys-eye>.
Harder, Sren. Electric Avenue: Solar Road Panels Offer Asphalt Alternative. Spiegal Online
International, 24 May 2013. Web. 9 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/solar-road-panels-offer-asphalt-alternativea-901792.html>.
Isidore, Chris. Tesla Talking to Google about Self-Driving Car Technology." CNN Money,
7 May 2013. Web. 26 Oct. 2013.
<http://money.cnn.com/2013/05/07/autos/tesla-google-self-driving-cars/>.
"Metromorph Futuristic Concept Car with Balcony Mode Option." Geek Civilization. Web.
26 Oct. 2013.
<http://www.geekcivilization.com/metromorph-futuristic-concept-car-with-balconymode-option/>.

Research Essay: Gongping

Phanm, Diane. Pavegen: Energy Generating Pavement Hits the Streets. Inhabitat,
28 Oct. 2009. Web. 9 Nov. 2013.
<http://inhabitat.com/energy-generating-pavement/>.
Roach, John. Futuristic Highway Glows in the Dark, Reports the Weather." NBC News, 25 Oct. 2012.
Web. 26 Oct. 2013. <http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/futuristic-highway-glows-darkreports-weather-1C6670949>.
Sandru, Ovidiu. How Scientists Made Moulds from Blowflies' Eyes and Used Them in Solar
Cells. The Green Optimistic, 29 July 2010. Web. 9 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.greenoptimistic.com/2010/07/29/blowfly-eyes-solar-cells/>.
Shepard, Wade. Chinas Traffic Crisis is a Population Density Problem. The China Chronicle,
10 Sep. 2012. Web. 26 Oct. 2013.
<http://thechinachronicle.com/ironically-chinas-traffic-crisis-may-ease-its-populationcrisis/>.
Stewart, Jon. "Wireless Highway Charges Electric Cars As They Go Future." BBC, 12 Mar. 2012. Web.
26 Oct. 2013.
<http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20120312-wireless-highway-to-charge-cars>.
"Tube Combines the Personal Vehicle with Public Transportation." ESHI Internation PTE,
16 Aug. 2010. Web. 26 Oct. 2013.
<http://www.designbuzz.com/tube-combines-the-personal-vehicles-with-publictransportation/>.
One Person Future Transportation Cassette Vehicle." Tuvie - Design of the Future. Web.
26 Oct. 2013.
<http://www.tuvie.com/one-person-future-transportation-cassette-vehicle/>.
Wolfer, Christopher. "Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting." Revolution Green Breakthrough Energy
News, 12 Aug. 2013. Web. 9 Nov. 2013.
<http://revolution-green.com/2013/08/12/piezoelectric-energy-harvesting/>.
Yoneda, Yuka. Tata Tower has 4,050 Vertical EV Parking Spots and Powers Itself. Inhabitat,
19 Oct. 2010. Web. 26 Oct. 2013.
<http://inhabitat.com/tata-tower-has-4050-vertical-ev-parking-spots-and-powers-itself/>.

You might also like