Saving Energy In Transportation

Saving energy in transportation doesn’t mean that you have to stay at home all the time or stop using traditional transportation altogether.  It is much more effective, not to mention easier and more fun, to make energy saving decisions for transportation in small steps.  One of the first things you can do is make a list of all the possible ways you have to get where you want to go.

Remember that anything that moves you (including your feet) is a form of transportation.  Do you have a bicycle, skateboard, scooter, or roller skates?  These are all forms of transportation that are free to use and don’t require any other fuel besides the food you eat!

If you have to go a distance that is too far for these personal forms of transportation, think of a way to maximize the efficiency of your trip.  Maybe you can get your parents to make a carpool for everyone to share a ride.  Or maybe you can combine different trips into one so you don’t have to drive back and forth so often.  Sometimes, you will even realize that the trip you wanted to take wasn’t necessary or could be put off for another time.

Public transportation (if available in your area) is another great way to save energy.  Taking the bus, train, or subway can be fast, convenient, and cheap.  Public transportation maximizes efficiency because all of the people are sharing the energy from the vehicle’s large engine, which is less wasteful than everyone using a single engine in their personal vehicles.

It doesn’t take a bunch of advanced technology and tools to start saving energy when it comes to transportation.  The only thing that is required is a little planning and using your most valuable tool—your brain!  See how creative you can be in saving, and share and exchange your ideas with others.  Remember that you don’t have to change all of your habits, but a bit here and a bit there will make you more feel more responsible and in control of decisions that you make!

QUESTION SET 6: SAVING ENERGY IN TRANSPORTATION

  1. ___________ vehicles combine the benefits of gasoline engines and electric motors by reducing the amount of fuel required to move a vehicle.
    1. Gas/Diesel
    2. Hybrid/Electric
    3. Gas/Hydrogen
    4. Ethanol/Electric
  2. By ____________ the efficiency of your trip, you can make sure that you are saving energy in transportation.
    1. Minimizing
    2. Clarifying
    3. Maximizing
    4. Eliminating
  3. ____________ are a great way to save energy and can help to reduce our dependence on oil.
    1. Car Pools
    2. Public Buses
    3. Bicycles
    4. All of the above
  4. True or False: You have to have a lot of expensive technology to begin saving energy in transportation.
    1. True
    2. False
  5. The most valuable tool that you have for making smart transportation decisions is ________.
    1. A Car
    2. A Computer
    3. Your Brain
    4. Your Friend’s Brain
  6. Anything that ________ you is a form of transportation.
    1. Excites
    2. Bores
    3. Moves
    4. Stops