Technology 1993-transportation
D. Dooling · IEEE Spectrum · 1993
Developments and events during 1992 are reviewed. The drive toward intelligent vehicle-highway systems was given an extra push by the Intermodal Surface Transportation and Efficiency Act, which was signed into US law in December 1991. The demand for zero emissions has revived work on electric vehicles. In spite of high installation costs, high-speed rail projects moved ahead, and nonstop air-traffic communications is planned. Japan tested a ship propelled by magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) thrusters akin to the 'caterpillar drive' used by the superquiet submarine in The Hunt For Red October.>