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The aspects of comprehensive environmental protection must be taken into account in the very first concept phase of any technical development. For this reason the requirement for operation at low noise level, exhaust-free propulsion and a high measure of safety is among the primary demands within the performance catalog of the TRANSRAPID and TRANSURBAN transport technology. A comparison with conventional means of transport shows the advantages of the new systems.

The U. S. Customs Service is working through international organizations to further its policy of facilitating the flow of cargo in international trade while interdicting the movement of contraband. These organizations, with United States participation, seek to harmonize customs procedures worldwide by developing international conventions and preparing recommendations to member states. The Service is also moving toward an automated merchandise processing system and is adapting its procedures to rapid technological advances in land and water transportation in the fields of containerization and the movement of cargo by lighters carried aboard seagoing vessels.

The air freight terminal has evolved from its beginnings as a by-product industry. It evolved like an unwanted child. The first terminals were patchwork copies of trucking terminals with modifications, but through many trials and errors, they have become the diverse, compatible, flexible series of systems that they are today. Air cargo terminals, even within the same system, are largely autonomous. This is as it should be. The terminals are individually keyed to the needs of their local shippers and their freight. Similarities exist, naturally, but the systems and the extent to which they are employed differ from station to station. Any attempt to impose uniform operating conditions on the various stations would impair their ability to respond to their local customers.

Containerization was the first step in a globally standardized physical distribution system. It precipitated a system of intermodal unit loads and modular packaging dimensions known as “Total Pack.” As part of this system, reasons are presented why the air-cargo mode should adopt an intermodal unit-load 54.00 × 45.00 in (1372 × 1143 mm). Usage of intermodal and interline containers is traced through the entire distribution system, including solutions to key problems.

Publishers are presently facing rapidly increasing mailing charges from the U.S. Postal Service, while at the same time experiencing a deterioration of service in longer and longer delivery times. This paper describes one publisher's solution to the problem-a combination of air freight, truck, and the postal service. The newspapers are trucked to the airport for shipment to eight distribution points throughout the United States, and then trucked to the post offices for mailing. The system has resulted in 72% of the total circulation reaching subscribers on the publication date, 26% on dateline plus one, and 2% on dateline plus two-a vast improvement over the previous system of mailing from a single post office located where the newspapers are printed.

The objective of the study was to estimate and explore the potential for reducing the costs of new urban mass transportation systems. The significance of major components of the capital investment cost was determined for guideway systems. Specific methods of reducing the cost of the most significant components were identified and examined in detail. These methods are (1) economies of scale in construction, (2) reductions in the requirement for guideways by utilizing a dual-mode vehicle, (3) eliminating tunnels by using super-elevated guideways, (4) new tunneling, (5) joint purchase of vehicles by several systems, and (6) reductions in initial vehicle purchases by reductions in the maintenance float. Three major conclusions were reached in this paper. First, there appears to be no opportunity to dramatically reduce the cost of urban transportation. All potential reductions are on the order of 5 to 10 percent.

Existing transit services in the Washington, D.C. area are faced with increasing costs and diminishing patronage, resulting in declining service. Top priority tasks are to provide for the improvement of existing bus services, planning for integrated and efficient bus operation before, during and after construction of the rail rapid transit system; and initiation of new and expanded passenger and service improvements. Future transit planning must recognize, however, that land use and travel patterns dictate the choice of travel mode. In fact, highway improvements will also be required in order to serve the land development and travel generated by the transit lines themselves.

The air freight forwarding industry is assuming more and more complex duties and creating innovative services at the same time that it is providing customers with dollar-saving “trade off” opportunities. The maturing industry has begun the air shipment of garments on hangers, and has launched the Overland Common Point (O.C.P.) Tariff for combining ocean transportation with connecting domestic air service. Forwarders have crusaded for greater container use, and, now, air carriers are beginning to offer incentives for containerized shipments. The industry also has assumed greater single-carrier responsibilities, developed sophisticated world-wide communications systems, and created simplified billing procedures.

Valence or bumper filler panels as well as other exterior automotive body components of painted elastomers have been used and are being considered more extensively for future models. Three types of materials are the prime candidates: EPDM rubber and thermoplastic or thermoset urethanes. The parts, however, must perform adequately within the automotive design criteria framework of MVSS regulations, cost, fabrication, appearance, and style.

A study was made of details of friction characteristics of several kinds of clutch-facing materials of resin mold type. With particular attention given to the low-speed slip area, the following was made clear: There exists a thin film on the friction surfaces of facing and mating materials. A thin film is presumed to be a visco-elastic substance which is susceptible to momentum and affects, to a great extent, friction and wear characteristics.

This paper discusses how to turn a 3-point inertia belt into a passive seat-belt system. The main objectives of the program were to prove that it would be possible to use existing seatbelt systems to cope with future requirements for occupant restraints and that therefore existing anchor points (or at least the existing systems) could be used. The aim was to use only existing techniques in order to reach a high reliability standard and to design a system that also could meet current homologation requirements. A prototype was developed with a combination of a 3-point seat belt with running loop with an inertia reel at the central lap belt, in combination with loops around the webbing of the seat belt running along cable-operated tracks. The prototype met all the objectives.

A simple model of the engagement process for paper friction materials has been conceived, consisting of squeeze film, squash film, and adhesive contact phases. In support of the model, laboratory test results are presented of paper clutch squeeze and squash film behavior in a new laboratory test fixture. Also scanning electron microscope photographs, profilometer data, and clutch inertia dynamometer friction and wear results are discussed in the context of the new engagement model.

Distance and time were the two obstacles barring the achievement of the export marketing objectives of a young Australian company, Magna Alloys & Research Pty. Ltd. The airplane and a unique use of air freight provided the solution to overcoming these obstacles. This paper shows how air freight was used as a marketing tool, the economics and operation of the company's air freight program, and the results achieved through the implementation of this program.

The time is now for shipper and air carrier to maximize profitability through extensive employment of the air freight concept. Better understanding by both parties of the Total Materials Management theory, i.e., the tradeoffs to air cost, is the key to vastly improved utilization of The Flying Truck.

This paper presents a summary of studies initiated by the British Technical Council to examine the repeatability and reproducibility of cold crank simulator results obtained on European cross-graded engine oils used in gasoline and diesel engines, and also to relate the results obtained to actual cranking speeds. The study of various components of engine cranking resistance on low-temperature starting behavior confirms that only those having oil viscosity dependence are related to temperature. Results obtained on engine startability and the cranking of used lubricants show significant increases in cranking speed as a result of fuel dilution, but show the converse for high insoluble contents (up to 10%). An advantage in cold startability is shown for the low end of the 20W specification compared to the high, but magnitude depends very much on the individual engine.

There are numerous engineering solutions to the energy management problem in low-speed vehicle bumper impact situations. This paper covers a North American Rockwell volute spring energy storage assembly. Selection of a system involves price, performance, installation, weatherability, reliability, etc. Extensive tests-pendulum corner impact, barrier, and pendulum-were carried out and showed that the volute spring assembly on a test vehicle withstood more than 100 impacts without evidence of failure.

The choice of material for a particular application depends on many factors, including cost, availability, appearance, strength, fabricability, and corrosion resistance. Frequently, use of a monolithic metal is compromised by one or more of its properties. The metallurgical materials systems concept provides a means of designing specific properties into a single composite material. Two or more metals are bonded at the atomic level to form a clad metal that meets the precise requirements of a specific application. In this report technical factors involved in designing corrosion-resistance materials systems are considered. Advantages and limitations are discussed and specific automotive engineering applications are used.

The electrochemical action of stainless steel trim in direct electrical contact with auto body steel can promote accelerated rusting of body steel in crevices where paint may be defective or damaged. Rain, snow, and/or road splash containing deicing salts and other contaminants provide the electrolyte. A dissimilar metal battery is created under such conditions resulting in the less noble body steel undergoing rapid galvanic attack. Attempts to prevent this type of corrosion have been investigated in the laboratory and by actual service testing. The various methods evaluated included electrical insulation to interrupt the flow of galvanic currents and the use of a third sacrificial metal which would provide cathodic protection. Among the many third metal systems tested, the aluminum striping concept was proved to be the most practical as well as the most effective for suppressing objectionable galvanic rust of autobody steel.

Automotive emphasis on reliability and reduced warranty costs is opening up new concepts in printed circuit switches. The economy of using a printed circuit board to provide electrical interconnections between circuits also provides consistency in high production, reduces labor, and the number of manufacturing operations. The printed circuit board approach offers the creative design engineer increased freedom in design approach since the printed circuit board is a structural member as well as an insulator with selective electrical circuitry. It is possible to use the printed circuit for contacts and minimize the number of electrical interfaces; however, each design must be evaluated on an individual basis. Printed circuit switches also offer an extension of printed circuit connector technology, connecting directly to the printed circuit board. Printed circuit connectors are easily attached on assembly line for fast, reliable electrical connections.

Hard back printed circuit switches, also known as on-circuit switches, offer an opportunity for switch designs which are reduced in complexity and enhanced in reliability in single switch mode concepts. On-circuit switching also offers the opportunity for the consolidation of two or more switching modes into one assembly which can have reliability, cost, convenience, and styling advantages; as well as leading to simplification of connecting wiring harnesses. While having the advantages noted, the on-circuit switching concept also has limitations. Failure of the printed circuit due to mechanical wear and/or electrical erosion is a major concern. Careful selection of switching modes must be made so that electrical load and endurance requirements do not exceed the ability of the device. The Achilles Heel of the concept is at the interface between the movable switch contact and the stationary contact, which is integral with the printed circuit board.