Innovations in Transportation Sector and their adaptability to Indian context

Our group will be looking at three fundamental aspects in the transportation sector viz. Roads, Fuels and Automobiles.

Roads

We will be studying different innovative materials which can be used across the world for the construction of roads. These include discovery of new chemicals and light coloured tops for roads. We will look into the alternative use of plastic waste as material for road construction and its viability. Some focus will be laid on road materials which can absorb greenhouse gases.

Fuels

Many innovations took place with alternate fuel or a new power train as the driving mechanism and we would analyse the success or failure of these and the reasons for their non adaptability. Is it because of the inertia or the inaction by automobile firms? We will also look into the concept of Water being used as fuel and the unique challenges this concept presents. An insight into hydrogen fuel cells which are considered to be the future source of fuel will be made. Similarly we will try and understand the policies which are must for these innovations to enter the mainstream and become popular with the masses. 

Automobiles

There have been amazing concepts in China, Japan, France in mass transportation that aid in saving road space, and reducing congestion. A study on them to understand their adaptability in India which has a growing need to utilise road space efficiently will be made. We will also look into the BRTS system which entails dedicated lanes for high capacity, low floor buses in Indian cities and will dig down into the reasons for their failure in one city and success in another. 
 

Also, we will delve into rural India to understand how innovation emerges in the rural landscape where people customize vehicles to suit their needs like farming purposes. Is there an opportunity for companies to realize this and produce vehicles with a different design? Can such niche needs be met in a sophisticated manner?

Note: An interesting concept - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K27VmNfwsaQ

Regards,
Govardhan & Satendra