Energy waste
Dray energy costs work out to about one cent per passenger mile when energy is bought at current rates from Toronto Hydro. They never operate with empty seats or travel around "Not In Service". Service is door-to-door, on your schedule.
Precious hydrocarbons wasted as dirty fuel.
The electrical power for the Dray may come from numerous sources, including truly renewable sources. About the only place they don't take power from is Big Oil and tar sands.
Air pollution
No tailpipe or exhaust anywhere if energy comes from truly renewable sources.
Water pollution
No cooling, braking etc fluids to leak onto city pavements and into sewage and drinking water systems.
Battery pollution
Drays and their battery packs are maintained by transit services, and spent battery packs are *all* recycled. Lithium battery chemistry provides still 80% of battery pack capacity after over 3,000 cycles... So Dray packs last for 2-3 years in normal service.
Obesity caused in part by lack of exercise.
The Dray is a true hybrid. Comfortable to kick which makes kicking an *option*, for exercise and for warmth in winter. Stop and go urban commutes become a mix of standing, walking, steps up/down, kicks, and power from wind, solar etc. The Dray is a running machine for pedestrians.
Isolation of suburban youth.
Urban sprawl grows young people isolated by distance. No more need to travel strapped into the back seat of a minivan, on to be dependent on a parents or friends schedule...
Road Rage
Car travelers today are isolated by glass and steel cases and cell phone. They communicate with traffic around them by honk and flashing light and hand signals... Getting travelers out of four wheels and onto two wheels transforms communication between drivers. They evolve to use spoken language, sophisticated phrases like "Good Morning" and "Excuse Me" and "Thank You". "Hello" even.
Underfunded public transit.
The Drays are designed to operate at a profit for the transit service. Traditional cost structures are turned around. If battery packs are charged during "off peak hours" at lower rates, still more savings.
Loss of manufacturing in Ontario.
Drays are assembled by the transit service.
Quality of life issues for public transit drivers.
Drivers are reassigned to happier and healthier pursuits in building and maintaining Drays. Offering instruction. Policing ownership. They can offer prompt and convenient roadside service if they still wish to spend their days driving a vehicle around. There will still be lots of foul weather days and opportunity for them to drive their buses when folks are looking for shelter. Or are infirmed by age or illness. Travelling with youngsters...
Energy storage in batteries is heavy.
Battery packs are small to keep down weight of Dray. This provides a limit in range of 20km-40km for one full charge. But the battery pack case can be unlocked and removed, swapped with another pack pack in less than a minute. Riders can pull into TTC stations for a pack swap and be on their way faster than it takes to fuel with gasoline. Or they can carry a spare. Like a laptop computer, battery packs can be plugged in anywhere to recharge. Riders can make their own energy from wind and solar etc! Hard to make your own gasoline!
Glass and metal bits on Toronto pavements flatten tires.
See prompt roadside assistance above. Dray tires are also designed with glass etc in mind.
One study suggested that over 90% of pedal bike riders are on vehicles that are not properly adjusted for their own frame.
Because the Drays have no seat or pedals, other than the adjustable handle height, it's one size fits all. OK, two sizes...
Safer streets.
Large, heavy and high speed vehicles carry a much greater potential to do serious injury and damage than small, light weight and slow speed vehicles. Everyone that gets out of four wheels and on to two wheels makes our streets a little safer for everyone else.
Female ridership, comfort and safety.
Many women do not take the TTC because of unhappy experiences with unwanted attention on TTC vehicles.
Animal Safety.
North American roads are a slaughterhouse for wild and domestic animals. Millions killed every year. Small, light weight and slow speed vehicles are less likely to hit and kill small animals.
Winter Pavements.
The adoption of Drays in public transit will encourage better maintenance and the clearing of snow and ice from our sidewalks, bike lanes and paths.
Bicycle lanes and paths.
More people riding little two-wheelers will encourage the development of more bike lanes and more pathways, free of heavy, high speed vehicles.
Gas Stations.
Studies have shown rising incidents of childhood leukemia around gas stations. The adoption of battery electrics will hasten the phasing out of urban gas stations.
Cleanliness.
Some commuters will not use public transit because it is viewed as dirty. Not a problem with your own Dray.
Disease.
Seasonal flu or a pandemic discourage riders from sharing packed transit vehicles.
Rider Training.
Transit riders would be required to take a course of instruction on defensive driving habits before they may lease a Dray.
Introduction of new technology.
Drays are introduced as public vehicles. Riders will lose rental privileges if they are reported as misbehaving.
Infrastructure.
Drays do not require significant new infrastructure.
Federal Funding for Public Transit.
Half the pilot project will be funded by the Transport Canada MOST program.
Folks.
PEP is an enterprise devoted to informing Canadians about options in your transportation mix.
PEP is a fight against elements in government, business and urban planning that still operate with the 20th-century mindset that has brought us to many of the crises Canadians see around them today.
PEP is a fight for the introduction and regulation of the worlds safest and most energy efficient urban vehicle, the human-electric hybrid.
May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back.
LocK
PEP
