Carbon Neutral Transportation Hub

It is widely accepted that transport is one of the main drivers for the increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Globally, transport is responsible for estimated 13% of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Increase in transport emissions has been attributed mainly to increasing numbers of light duty vehicles (passenger cars and smaller road freight vehicles) and heavy goods vehicles (larger road freight vehicles). 

Development is likely be accompanied by some negative environmental impacts, including an increase in carbon emissions from the use of fossil fuels. Our approach is to help better manage carbon emissions arising as a result of transport projects in these areas through the implementation of ‘Carbon Neutral Transport Hubs’. 

The concept of a local ‘hub’ initiative to reduce environmental impacts is well established. Some countries have adopted a ‘greenway’ approach to highway and road development - where landscape around road projects is protected so as to maximize on the value of non-monetary benefits of the landscape - i.e. recreation, ecotourism, ecosystem conservation etc. Building on this concept, a carbon neutral transportation hub include systems to both reduce carbon emissions (through energy efficiency and cleaner fuels) and offset carbon emissions (through sequestration and conservation projects), seeking no net gains in the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere.

The Carbon Neutral Transport Hubs are strategically being established to enhance investments in transport, energy, and telecommunications in the regions where increased development is expected. We aim to further explore the meaning of the term carbon neutral within the context of these ‘Hubs’, and to define what a Carbon Neutral Transport Hub (CNTH) is when implemented.

Atlanta, Georgia - Global Hub for Carbon Neutral Transportation 

Georgia is home the world’s busiest airport, largest airline, the fourth largest university system in the country. No other location gives you easier and faster access to the world and a well-educated workforce. 

Atlanta serves as a Carbon Neutral Transportation Hub for CEC partners worldwide. 

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the world's busiest, offering 2,000 flight operations daily to and from 180 cities throughout the U.S., as well as to Japan, England, France, Belgium, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Canada, Korea, China, Brazil, South Africa, Central and South America, Mexico, India and the Caribbean.

Atlanta is one of only five cities in the U.S. served by three major interstate highways, and also one in five with a rapid rail station inside the airport terminal.

The metro area is the rail center of the South and has become one of the five most important distribution centers in North America.

24 combination passenger and freight carriers and 12 all-cargo carriers serve Atlanta. Major freight handling facilities include two of the largest air cargo buildings in the world.

More than 80% of the U.S. is within a two-hour flight of the Innovation Crescent, and more than 80% of U.S. markets are within a two-day truck haul.

Contact your local CEC chapter leader to learn how you can join our Soft-Landing services and Hands-on Advisory Program in Atlanta and why Bioscience industry is thriving in Georgia. 

CEC makes make it easy for you to establish your business in the U.S. and  do business in the U.S. and elsewhere. Whether you're searching for assistance for a start-up, a site for your business, or planning a branch expansion or seeking assistance for a start-up, a host of local CEC experts in Atlanta are available with information and support.

Soft-Landing Services

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Hands-on-Advisory Services

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Partner Projects

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

We aim to optimize management of both private and public transportation to reduce environmental impact.

We develop technologies and promote behavior that helps to reduce greenhouse gases. 

Communications technology is being increasingly integrated in the development and deployment of innovative Intelligent Transport System solutions. The resulting efficiency improvement for the whole public and private transportation process has a direct positive impact on the environment.

ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems) Platforms are advanced ICT distributed solutions based on Internet computing. It already provides access to innovative telco capabilities such as mobile network and A-GPS location services.

We focus on info-mobility services for the driver and the citizen. Innovative services aiming at optimizing the management and use of public and private transportation are also supported (e.g. sorting traffic to avoid jams, parking management, etc.). The platform is also designed to enable mobile payments and vehicle control (intelligent navigation, entertainment, etc.).

All the entities of the transportation environment become interconnected and able to exchange data and information. Many different communication paradigms will be made available, such as Vehicle-to-Vehicle, Vehicle-to-Infrastructure, Service Centre-to-Vehicle, Pedestrian-to-Vehicle and Driver-to-Service Centre. New services and business models to improve the traffic efficiency and reduce the environmental impact will be developed. 

By using the information obtained from mobile terminals and on-board telematic platforms, the new info-mobility solutions allow for better traffic management to save energy, better use of urban infrastructure (e.g. parking) to reduce travel time and CO2 emissions. These are advantages both for the environment and the population.

Temperature Controlled Cargo

Perishable transportation market is estimated to grow fast locally, regionally, and globally despite the economical slowdown. Many countries and farmers would like to become more engaged in the production of perishable products for export and sales but lack adequate and affordable packaging and transportation solutions. Today, up to 40% of perishable products are wasted or spoiled between production and reaching the  consumer. 

To boost and expand carbon neutral shipping in perishable cargo sector and to meet the TCP and transport needs of small to large suppliers, retailers and transportation companies worldwide, we have developed a new thermo module. This cost effective solution for freight is made with light recycled materials, and it is easy to use and clean, and it does NOT require external power sources to operate - such as temperature controlled vehicles for transportation. 

This innovation can open new markets and business opportunities for manufacturers, suppliers, transportation companies, and retailers of temperature controlled products. Key benefits:

Savings in Transportation Fleet

NO refrigerated vehicles are needed for transportation. 

Smaller and Faster Delivery

Enables significantly smaller deliveries directly to customers avoiding the costs and delays generated by intermediate cold cargo storing. This creates an opportunity for companies to increase their offerings to customers, while improving flexibility, quality, and speed of service.

Sustainable Transport and Mobility Solutions

Enables and expands carbon neutral shipping and transport.  

Economic Impact

Real-time business intelligence platform monitors, verifies, and reports that the cold chain is not broken during the transportation. This has not been possible when using conventional technologies and transport equipment, where cargo space doors must be opened thus creating temperature spikes. Verification system has great impact for companies creating significant savings in recompenses and insurance premiums. 

Risk Mitigation

The risk for spoilage of perishable cargo will be significantly reduced when the cold chain is not broken and even temperatures are maintained.

Energy

Savings in energy can be achieved when opening the cargo space door doesn’t raise the temperature of the cooled space; the consumption of fossil fuels of one single refrigerating machine is 15-20 liters/ gallons a day; the total amount of transportation mileage is reduced and fuel efficiency improved, when the same or smaller size vehicle can transport frozen goods, perishables and dry goods in the same vehicle to customers. 

Small Deliveries

Enables smaller deliveries and the use of non-refrigerated small vehicles in city deliveries.  

Storage

Thermo module can remain in the customers’ premises working as a cold storage for a limited time. 

Environment

Eco-efficient, reduces waste, and the use of fuel, materials and water.