CALSTART launches five new technology projects as California industry expands: Projects create an "Electronic Border Clearance" with Mexico to speed shipping and advance four key natural gas technologies.BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 23, 1995--The CALSTART advanced transportation consortium is launching five new projects worth $6 million that push the technology envelopes in both natural gas and new "smart" electronics (Intelligent Transportation Systems, or ITS) technologies. Coupled with recently announced CALSTART programs for electric and hybrid electric technologies, these projects represent the significant continuing growth in the advanced transportation industry. In 1995 alone, CALSTART has helped launch nearly $21 million worth of advanced transportation technology projects to lower vehicle costs, increase marketability and enhance military capabilities. "Technologies are improving and changing at light speed," said Michael J. Gage, CALSTART president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. . "As more and more companies bring their skills and investments to bear, the speed of innovation is astounding a·stound tr.v. a·stound·ed, a·stound·ing, a·stounds To astonish and bewilder. See Synonyms at surprise. [From Middle English astoned, past participle of astonen, . The robust growth of this industry shows the reality of clean fuel and smart electronics technologies." In one of the new projects, a CALSTART-led team has been selected by the Federal Highway Administration The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is a division of the United States Department of Transportation that specializes in highway transportation. The agency's major activities are grouped into two "programs," The Federal-aid Highway Program and the Federal Lands Highway (Department of Transportation) to develop a unique "international electronic border clearance" to speed shipments to Mexico. Cargo will carry customs and other clearance data electronically, eliminating the stop at the Mexican border -- saving time, cutting costs and reducing pollution. In addition, CALSTART teams partnering with the Advanced Research Projects Agency (Department of Defense) will develop four critical natural gas technologies: o Engine Corp. of America, based in Fullerton, Calif., will develop an ultra-high efficiency natural gas compressor <includeonly></includeonly>A gas compressor is a mechanical device that increases the pressure of a gas by reducing its volume. Compression of a gas naturally increases its temperature. which cuts energy use by 60%; o NGV/USA of Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. will head a team incorporating natural gas storage tanks into the chassis of a Chrysler van, doubling its range to 350 miles; o Mosaic Industries, with headquarters in Hayward, Calif., will develop a low-cost, reliable sensor to detect natural gas leaks The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please [ improve this article] or discuss the issue on the talk page. For other uses, see Leak (disambiguation). on heavy duty vehicles; o Whittaker Controls of North Hollywood, Calif., will use aerospace-based insulation to make a bare-hands refueling system for liquified natural gas. The International Border Electronic Clearance project is unique because it becomes one of the first truly practical applications of the new "smart" electronic technologies now available. The project uses software from Scientific Atlanta (San Diego San Diego (săn dēā`gō), city (1990 pop. 1,110,549), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1850. San Diego includes the unincorporated communities of La Jolla and Spring Valley. Coronado is across the bay. ), a vehicle location system from Qualcomm (San Diego), and transponders from Hughes Transportation Services (Fullerton). Other participants include American President Lines American President Lines Ltd. (now simply referred to as APL) is the world's sixth largest container transportation and shipping company, providing services to more than 140 countries through a network combining intermodal freight transport operations with IT and e-commerce. , based in Oakland, Calif., the Port of Los Angeles The Port of Los Angeles is located on San Pedro Bay in the San Pedro neighborhood of Los Angeles, approximately 20 miles (30 km) south of downtown. Also called Los Angeles Harbor and WORLDPORT LA , Caltrans and the U.S. and Mexican Customs Service. In essence, cargo shipped across the U.S.-Mexico border will be pre-cleared -- with customs, immigration immigration, entrance of a person (an alien) into a new country for the purpose of establishing permanent residence. Motives for immigration, like those for migration generally, are often economic, although religious or political factors may be very important. , safety and other inspection data entered into an electronic transmitter A device that generates signals. Contrast with receiver. system. Trucks approaching the border would transmit their electronic clearance to the inspection stations, and, if the cargo has not been tampered with, be waved directly through customs at the Mexican border. The process will eliminate waiting time (now running hours or even days), save money and cut pollution from the fleets of idling trucks waiting to make the crossing. "CALSTART is particularly excited about the electronic border clearance," added Gage. "Here we're taking ITS technologies the next step -- using them to solve a problem, getting cargo quickly across the border. It will save money and make the Port of Los Angeles even more competitive. Projects such as this show the real value of smart vehicle technologies, and how they can help advanced transportation grow." CALSTART is a California non-profit consortium dedicated to creating an advanced transportation industry in the state. Its 140 participants include defense and aerospace technology firms, vehicle manufacturers, transit agencies, all the state's major utilities and labor and environmental groups. CONTACT: CALSTART, Burbank Bill Van Amburg or Dave Sotero, 818/565-5606 |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion