Now where was I before I was so rudely interrupted...

Many of you, among the multitudes of dedicated followers of this blog, must have wondered if DCMetroTransit had withered and died on the vine. Not so! The blog remains, though fairly well neglected over the past year.  With the events of the last year, I've been a little pre-occupied. Highlights:  I spent a week in the hospital (bad), but I also adopted a baby boy (good!). My wife and I are over the moon about the new addition to the family. He's funny, super-cute, smart: in other words, a worthy addition to the clan. :-)

But enough personal stuff: this blog is about transportation, for the most part. And one of the projects I have worked on over the last few years, as the economy and automobile industry faced serious turmoil, is a map of the automobile industry, showing the comings and goings of brands and corporate marriages over the last few decades. Well, it is way past time for an update - but here it is anyway (click on the picture to see it larger). I will call your attention to the items highlighted in yellow. Here is a summary of what has changed since the last auto-map update, published February 27, 2010 - how the time does fly:

Hummer and Saab, formerly parts of GM's far-flung empire, were both facing spin-off in early 2010. Unfortunately, time and luck has run out for both brands: Hummer was discontinued in 2010, and Saab is in it's final death throes as we speak. Saab was ultimately unable to come to terms with GM on the sale/transfer of the car giant's technology, which underpins much of Saab's remaining line-up. GM feared that uncontrolled transfer of its technology to a Chinese (or other) automaker would ultimately come back to haunt the Detroit titan. As of this writing, liquidation of the Swedish brand appears imminent.

Volkswagon acquired 20% ownership of Suzuki in 2010, but the Japanese automaker remains largely independent of both former partner GM as well as the makers of the Beetle.

Fiat-Chrysler is on a bit on a roll, with sales soaring in 2012 as its American product portfolio continues to be refined and expanded. Chrysler carved off its old Dodge Truck division in 2009 to create the "Ram" brand, and in 2011 began promoting its in-house performance sub-brand "SRT". The SRT offerings include hotted-up versions of the Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Charger, Jeep Grand Cherokee, the soon-to-arrive SRT Viper - and even the new Dodge Dart may have an SRT representative.

Ford completed the sale of Volvo to Chinese automaker Geely in 2010 - apparently, their concerns over technology transfer were not as acute as GM's, since Volvo continues to use much of their own technology, not parent Ford's. The Ford-Volvo divorce was therefore much cleaner than GM-Saab.

Ford also shuttered the Mercury brand for good in 2011. No more Comets, Zephyrs, or Cougars for you!

And Daimler ended its relationship with Penske to distribute the diminuitive Smart in the U.S. - they now handle distribution directly.

Stay tuned for more blog updates, including (I hope) more on developments in public transportation in DC - there is definitely news to report for Metro, and not as much for streetcars as I'd like.   Until next time...

Silver Linings Part II: Germany to Dump All Nuke Plants by 2022, Swiss by 2034.

Lots of VERY interesting things happening these days in the wake of the nuclear meltdown in Japan.  As reported in my last post, the Japanese government is expected to announce plans to require all new buildings and homes to be fitted with solar panels by 2030.

Not to be outdone, the Germans are planning to wind down their nuclear programs completely.  In the aftermath of Fukushima, Germany is crafting a plan to replace its nuclear program with renewable energy sources - and to shut down all 17 of its nuclear reactors by 2022.  Replacing the power generated by these plants will of course be a significant challenge, and will represent Europe's largest commitment to transitioning to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and hydroelectric power.

Switzerland has also re-evaluated its commitment to nuclear energy since the accident in Japan.   Last week, the Swiss decided to shutter their five reactors once they complete their useful lives - and not replace them. 
The reactors will be shut down gradually as they reach their average life span of 50 years, indicating that the last plant to cease production will go dark in 2034.


I hear the lobbyists for the nuclear industry are burning up the phones to the Reichstag to thwart this plan.  Actually, I'm just imagining that - but fully expect it nonetheless.  Germany, Switzerland, and Japan - doing their part to make the world a greener, more sustainable place.  Thanks for helping us breathe a little easier!

Hello, Washington, are you listening?!?

Silver Linings: Japan to require solar panels on all new homes by 2030.

Now THIS I can get behind.  Imagine the reduction in U.S. carbon emissions if we required every new house built to include solar panels in the roof (and/or walls, as that technology is becoming available too)?  I am sure the K Street lobbyists for Exxon and BP have already warned the Congressmen on their payrolls against even considering following Japan's admirable example.

What a way to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.  In the wake of the awful Chernobyl-class nuclear accident at Fukushima this spring, Japan has not only dramatically curtailed its plans to expand future nuclear energy production, but is now taking affirmative steps to embrace renewable energy on a massive scale.  Bravo, Nippon!

What to Do with That Old CRT TV or Monitor

I made a discovery a while back that I would like to share.  Several months ago I found myself with an old standard-definition TV and a non-functioning computer monitor, both CRTs (cathode-ray tubes).  Someone pointed out to me that Best Buy would dispose of them essentially for free.  I say "essentially" because, for each CRT device they take off your hands to dispose of responsibly, they do charge $10 - but then they give you a $10 Best Buy gift card. So you get rid of your old stuff, and have a built-in excuse to go shopping at Best Buy again. "Winning!"


They will take all old electronics, and they only charge for CRTs, so you can dump your old computers, VCRs, DVD players, stereos, etc.  Do the right thing when it's time to retire that old electronic gear, and take it to Best Buy or another place that will dispose of it responsibly.


Office Depot offers a similar service, selling "Tech Recycling Boxes" for $5 to $15 at participating stores. You can fill the boxes with as many used consumer electronics (cell phones/PDAs, computers, televisions, etc.) as will fit, and then drop off the boxes at any Office Depot store to be recycled.


Here is a great page from the EPA with lots of tips on responsibly recycling electronics.  Closer to home, there is a targeted recycling program for old TVs at the Benning Road and Fort Totten transfer stations on Saturdays. There is apparently more info on the Department of Public Works website, including drop-off hours, and they will also take refrigerators and other appliances at both sites.  Good luck with the District's website, however:  I'm not having much luck with navigating it or using the search function....

UPDATE:  Thanks to Ken Hanada for pointing me in the right direction re: the DC DPW website - click here!

One Cargo Ship = 50 Million Cars?!?

Next time you think you are making a significant impact on global pollution levels by driving your 40+ mpg Prius to work each day, think about this:  Due to the low-quality fuel consumed by large ocean-going transport ships, a single one of these behemoths can emit as much cancer and asthmas-causing filth as FIFTY MILLION cars!  One seriously has to wonder why we even bother with federal automobile emissions standards.  Perhaps we should be focusing on "point" sources of pollution (like power plants and, say, filthy cargo ships), instead of on more difficult to regulate "non-point" sources (like hundreds of millions of cars and trucks).  Let's get serious about cleaning up these floating garbage scows.

This is not a new article, but it paints a pretty bleak picture of our mis-placed focus on the Camry's we drive to work instead of the carbon-spewing ships that deliver them to our shores.