LOGISTICS

The transportation of goods consumes vast amounts of resources as well as contributing to the total pollution production of the industrialized world. The necessity of moving materials is impossible to eliminate, however, there is always potential for improvement. Megapolises provide a central area to drop mass goods and materials either by rail, air, or water for more specific direct distribution to a local population conserving time and energy over what the present spread-out population allows. Local food and basic goods production also reduce the transport burden. In addition, all means of efficiency will be employed upon the machines of transport themselves.

Container ships presently account for the transport of 98% of intercontinental trade. They are the most efficient means of moving vast amounts of goods long distance, but they can be improved. High altitude sails kites and electric drive can be used to reduce consumption today.

Diesel freight trains work like hybrid cars - using their large engines to generate electrical power for the motors that move the train. With modification, these trains man be powered directly through the rails like subway cars while they are within practical reach of a more efficient city grid, only turning to diesel power generation outside of the city or in the event of grid failure.

Jet planes have great payload carrying capability and speed, but they are enormous pollution producers and consumers of fuel. When practical, jet planes will be substituted by quieter, more efficient, piston-engined cargo aircraft.

Trucks will still be necessary for local delivery, but their long-distance use will be greatly diminished by the concentration of populations and large production centers in one area as well as the extensive use of rail to span between megapolises.

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