Goals Statement
Bruce A. McHenry
2009
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Development of an NGO to
run competitions in key technologies, especially interfaces, that are put
into the public domain. This approach complements that of the X PRIZE
Foundation and has the support of people like Richard Stallman and Hal
Abelson of the Free Software Foundation and MIT’s OpenCourseWare
respectively. Initial funding will be sought to support prizes for:
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Data exchange among
ridesharing systems
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Roadtrain electronic
interfaces
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Roadtrain hitching
systems
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Next generation wiki
software
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Develop, staff and find
funding for a documentary series illustrating the promise and the
constraints on key technologies. This will begin with a series on 21st
C transportation technology; the first episode will most likely be about
ridesharing. (Since there are far more empty seat miles in passenger cars
than on transit systems, ridesharing has the potential to not only augment
public transit but to make it obsolete in most American cities.) Other
episodes will be built around the use of WiMAX to have vehicles communicate
with each other and signals, evacuated Maglev for ultra high speed, low
energy inter-city travel, dual-mode vehicle supporting guideways, and
roadtrains. The shows may include dramatic scenes using star talent and
meetings between activist advocates and detractors, rent seekers and
engineers.
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Study of the dynamics of
roadtrain vehicles using computer simulation. Initial discussions with
experts in this area have been completed. Funding of approximately $200,000
will be needed to pay for a one year of consulting time.
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Design and begin to
implement next generation
"wiki" software allowing some recognition of ownership rights, a due process for
identifying and resolving disputes, and supporting economically productive
activities in a relatively open way.