Transport Planning Consultants And Freeway Engineering Consultants

The group are great to work with and Connect’s help has undoubtedly proved essential on numerous projects. We currently advocate Connect to all our purchasers in want of highways recommendation and would don't have any hesitation recommending them to anyone else. In addition, our involvement within the planning, procurement and implementation of numerous modernisation and replacement initiatives has contributed to improved reliability, safety and maintainability, and has offered energy financial savings. The combination of these elements ultimately helps to improve the general efficiency of buildings, in lots of cases providing tailor-made solutions by way of the utilization of industry standard energy efficient equipment.

James' data of the PTAL system was invaluable, allowing the staff to design greater density improvement with confidence." Our various group of consultants dedicated to the transportation business ship creative, proactive govt search providers tailored to transport infrastructure suppliers. Bisham Consulting can help with the review and optimization of operational processes and networks in your transport administration system. We may help to scale back transport and logistics distribution prices to make the business extra environment friendly.

D2E are directly appointed by the Client because the Vertical Transportation consultant to the design group. D2E have developed a BCO compliant scheme that supports a complex, multi-tenanted building that varies in top by being laid in a series of vertical slices. Our industry experience and contacts additionally enable us to maintain abreast of trade requirements and benchmarks in order transport consultancy that we can present purchasers with up-to-the-minute proposals and methods. While predominantly engaged by the personal sector to act as an advocate for new improvement, we also work with third parties to challenge poorly conceived or inappropriate development.

Your RFI strategy is narrowing the sphere and reducing timewasting on the subsequent stage. Warehouse operations in that inbound arrivals have to be inside the proper window as set by the warehouse. Access and Restrictions – some customers may have access limitations restricting the size of vehicles that may serve them. Drop Density – Urban areas could have larger drop density so might make use of bigger vehicles up to the point of restrictions and accessibility.

If this is not taken under consideration and the implications are not thought-about, the automobile fleet could additionally be changed with extra of the identical as an alternative of something more appropriate. It is feasible with modelling to determine the financial number and profile of the in-house fleet, what orders it should carry and what orders are more economic to send by the carrier. Postcode to weekday matrix – Maximising drop density results in maximising fleet utilisation and minimising price per delivery. We have found that a well designed and maintained postcode to weekday matrix can be almost as efficient as having an open five-day window to deliver in. So as you probably can see, the advantages of hiring a transport consultancy firm are infinite.

The systematic appraisal of transport demand and mitigation, required for many planning applications. An essential consider the bottom line evaluation of routes is now the quality of the air and traffic noise alongside the route, which will be significantly affected by air pollution from heavy site visitors flows or standing site visitors throughout congested peak durations transportation consultants. We produce all the necessary freeway designs and drawings wanted to safe technical approval, including infrastructure works and delivering on site. Our involvement in the management of procurement processes, along with ongoing tools audits and help within the management of contractors, has been proven to reduce operational down-time.

If you may have many logistical procedures, you'll probably understand how essential it's to keep everything running as effectively as attainable. This may be exhausting to do when you've a enterprise to run as nicely, but by using a transport consultancy service, you'll have the ability to simplify everything whereas also making certain that you simply aren’t shedding useful money and time to an inefficient process. So, what is transport consultancy and what are the benefits to move consultancy? We provide consulting and advisory services that will help you and your group transfer forward with supply chain and logistics initiatives, and achieve world class efficiency. We regularly assist architects, designers, facilities managers, constructing homeowners and finish user clients. Our complete market strategy identifies one of the best resolution throughout the entire lifecycle of a project.

We are leaders in a broad variety of fields from Healthy Streets and air quality enhancements to bus and metro operation, maintenance, and technique. We help you to make financially informed decisions relating to web site improvement and to progress by way of all levels of the planning software progress. The demand for development across the UK continues to extend, with transport usually being a fundamental problem on the planning stage.

Pinnacle provides the right design solutions, from easy precedence junctions via to complicated site visitors networks. Our proposals take into consideration key constraints such as developmental influence, financial transport consulting feasibility, environmental sustainably and road security implications. James was the lead highways consultant on the MoDEL tasks and labored with the group at Sheppard Robson on the creation of acceptable highway options for the schemes.

What types of regional and local transport(s) does Cincinnati need more in the future? 2/15/23

     

Many people think Cincinnati has so much unused potential and has been failed many times with poor follow-through (the streetcar and subway). The city and planners within have tried to make great plans, but they've never worked out the way it was expected. I think the streetcar should be expanded instead of just running on a 3.6 mile loop through OTR and downtown. Those places are already pretty walkable and close to each other. If the streetcar was expanded to uptown and other municipalities of the Greater Cincinnati area, ridership would dramatically increase because it would serve a larger demographic and more people that need it.

Another form of transportation that would benefit Greater Cincinnati would possibly be a monorail that starts at the CVG airport. One unique thing about Cincinnati is that its metropolitan area serves Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. A monorail would be a good idea because they require minimal space and run on one track. Monorails have one of the lowest maintenance and operating costs out of any type of mass form of public transportation. It's  a fast convenient use of travel that could have drop off points around the dense metropolitan areas and if planned properly could happen in the future. There are downsides to this plan but it's something that could work and it's even been pitched before. Cincinnati is in need of a better public transportation system overall. Whether it be a monorail, subway, rapid bus transit or any other type of transit, it should be properly planned and serve more than 2 neighborhoods out of the approximate 80 neighborhoods that surround it. They've started with things like the bus, metro, and streetcar. However, public transport needs to be thought of on a bigger scale than it has in the past.

Another valid form of useful transportation for Cincinnati would be a Subway. The previous subway project in Cincinnati failed in 1948 subsequent to a study ‘derailing’ its cost-effectiveness. It is important to note however, the advance in construction technology, as well as some of the pre-routed tunnels underneath the city, may lay the path for a new Subway in Cincinnati. Some of the reasons it would benefit the citizens include: Less Automotive reliance as well as space taken up for parking, lower cost of travel, decreased air pollution, as well as ease of access to different points in the city.

Downtown’s confusing highway exits and crammed parking all over could be decreased as a result of the subway, allowing those who drive vehicles more ease of parking as well as the need for vehicles overall decreases. I think this would also benefit the social interaction among people downtown; the subway would create a social environment and would promote more walkability on streets due to the decreased vehicular transit. Not only that, but it creates the possibility of being able to connect the subway under the river running from Newport to Covington and back, reducing traffic further. The pros from an improved Subway may benefit the general economy and public more so than Bus Rapid Transit, and The streetcar system as well, which is important to keep in mind when considering the future of Cincinnati.

Discussion Question: What is more important to consider relating to transportation with the future of our city in mind? Cost effectiveness, or the benefits of the system on the surrounding environment.

Top Indian Cities to Retire and Settle Down on your Budget!

Chandigarh, the Union Territory, Pune (Maharashtra), Coimbatore(Tamil Nadu), Mysore(Karnataka),  Rishikesh (Uttarakhand), Jaipur( Rajasthan), Kasauli (Himachal Pradesh),Pondicherry, the Union Territory Bhubaneswar(Orissa), Dehradun(Uttarakhand) are top Indian cities to retire and settle down on your budget.

Chandigarh, the Union Territory

Chandīgarh, India’s one of the earliest planned city, Chandigarh is known for being a haven of senior citizen’s. Settled between Mohali and Panchkula, this city is well-connected with all main highways through road and railway stations. This city is known for its favorable climate and has a pleasant pollution-free environment. The cost of living in Chandigarh is moderate and if you want to rent a home then for 2BHK an average cost can come up to 10 to 20k. Not only pleasant weather but also has a lower crime rate and is very safe for children and women. The city has good engineering and medical institutions and the food here is to die for. This is one of the favorite places to settle down after retirement. It will be a good idea to rent a place in areas such as Sector 5, 8, 9, and 10 among others then move on to buy a new home.

Pune (Maharashtra)

The luxurious greenery, pleasant climate, and broad roads are just a few features of how outstanding the city of Pune is. This is one of the city in Maharashtra has the lifestyle of Mumbai but the beauty of any hill station, which makes it one of the most favorable cities in India. You can find the facilities of metro cities coupled with scenic beauty and pleasant weather. The food is also good; you can also enjoy the famous Mumbai Vada Pav here. People from different walks of life come here to settle down, away from the rush of big cities. The cost of living in Pune is moderate. Pune is famous for its rich culture and art, elite institutions, and high-class medical facilities. With numerous religious destinations and iconic tourist spots, this has become one of the good choices for senior citizens.

Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu)

Also known as Koyamutthoor sometimes shortened as Kovai, Coimbatore is situated on the banks of the River Noyyal. This picturesque setting of this beautiful city is enough to attract anyone to spend their lives here. Coimbatore is well-connected with the three national highways and also has an international airport. It has a busy cosmopolitan cultural life with less pollution and a moderate climate. The city is also known for maintaining the cultural background but also maintains cosmopolitan and cultural diversity. If you are drawn to the spiritual setting, then this place has a lot to offer. You can find Adiyogi, Arulmigu Patteeswarar Swamy temple, Isha foundation to get closer to divine awakening. This city has seen rapid growth in infrastructure and has all the important facilities for its residential areas.

Mysore (Karnataka)

The beautiful city of Mysore attracts a large number of tourists throughout the year. The grand palaces, majestic grandeur, gorgeous landscapes, and flourishing gardens are just part trailer of the bigger picture. It also has a peaceful vibe coupled with the busy market. It was declared as the cleanest city by the Urban Development Ministry. Mysore has major museums such as Folklore Museum, Railway Museum, Oriental Research Institute, etc. are here. This is a perfect location to relax and find comfort in the historical remains. Many senior citizens visit this place in search of a good place to settle down.

Rishikesh (Uttarakhand)

Rishikesh is known as the Yoga capital of India, it is a pilgrimage city,Land of many religious sites. This city attracts many senior citizens from all over the world to spend some time in spiritual bliss. In India, people travel to Rishikesh to enjoy the scenic beauty and spiritual lifestyle. You can stay in Dharmshalas in Haridwar and enjoy the famous Ganga Aarti. Sages come here regularly to meditate and offer prayers. There are meditations centers, rafting camps, and have a lower crime rate. If you have a feeling towards spirituality then this is become your favorite place. It has a number of ashrams, temples that attract many people every year. This is also where Ayurveda is practiced widely; Patanjali yoga pith is one of them. You can find many healing centers and alternative medicine, which is appreciated by the retirees. With a pollution-free environment, Rishikesh has a low cost of living. Hence, it has been one of the most preferred cities to retire in India on a budget. Book a place in advance before hiring a company of packers and movers to shift your belongings there.

Jaipur (Rajasthan)

People in India travel to Jaipur at least once in their life. The cultural diversity and heritage attract people from l walks of life. The climate of Jaipur is moderate to hot and so, it discourages many people to travel here in summer. If you like summer a lot, then this is your place. With a reasonable standard of living, this place brings a lot to the plate. A calm, smooth, friendly retirement plan is easily reflected in the lifestyle of the people here. The Pink City is properly connected by road, railway and air.

Kasauli (Himachal Pradesh)

Kasauli is a hill station retreat for the retirees. You can spend your time in relaxation looking at the majestic mountains and flora. This city in Himachal Pradesh attracts numbers of people every year just to enjoy the comfy morning and enjoyable campfires. You can find beautiful huts and hoses with the mountain in the backdrop. If you have not yet decided to move here, then book a room for 1 or 2 week and then decide. They are cheap and very reasonable and fully furnished to make your stay a relaxed one.

Pondicherry, the Union Territory

Pondicherry is your place where you want to spend your life after retirement. It is considered to be one of the best cities to retire in India especially on a budget. This French colony has pretty little houses that allow you to reach the cool beaches and delicious French cafes. Pondicherry is attracting many retirees and has developed number of retirement homes for them. With good infrastructure and healthcare, it is surely an inspiring place to be. You can find yourself a beautiful place in areas such as Covai and Aishwaryam among others. You can check them out before you go there.

Bhubaneswar (Orissa)

Bhubaneswar, capital of Orissa is another option for our senior citizens to settle down after-retirement. Orissa is known for the lowest electricity price rates in India, the multi-specialty hospitals and good infrastructure is enough to attract one to move here. You have beautiful beaches nearby and most importantly Puri, Jagannath temple among other tourist attractions is there to explore. The city is easily accessible, and the cost of living is reasonably low.

Dehradun (Uttarakhand)

Dehradun is one of the popular hill stations in India. With beautiful all year long, this place looks like a fairy tale of a kids story books. Settled between two rivers, Ganga and Yamuna, this city has been created into a smart city. Lying in the foothills of the Himalayas, Dehradun is known for its warmer climate and attractive landscape. The city is well-connected with other tourist places such as Auli, Mussoorie, Rishikesh, Uttarkashi, and Haridwar. Numerous couples plan to settle here in this city after their retirement. The beautiful place is low on pollution and invites people from all over the world, to spend some time in the lap of nature.

Conclusion:

There are a number of other cities where you can plan to live after retirement. But if you are looking for a perfect city to live after retirement then this list of best cities to retire in India on a budget would be very helpful. It is suggested to choose the right city to live that provides you peaceful and great living experience.

Plots For Sale in Dehradun, Uttarakhand: Find Your Dream Home

If You Are Planning to Buy a Residential Plot in Dehradun, Uttarakhand Then Contact Tiger Shree. Tiger Shree Is One of The Leading Real Estate and Property Builder Companies in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, and Has Been Offering Plots for Sale for Decades.

They Have a Wide Range of Residential Plots for Sale in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, Which Is Suitable for Different Budgets and Requirements. You Can Choose From A Variety of Sizes and locations per your preference.

The Company Has a Team of Experienced Professionals Who Will Guide You Through the Entire Process of Buying a Plot, From Choosing the Right Location to Getting the Best Price. They Will Also Help You with The Paperwork and Legal Formalities Involved in The Purchase.

So, If You Are Looking for Plots for Sale in Dehradun, Uttarakhand Then Contact Tiger Shree Today and They Will Be Happy to Assist You.

If You Need Land for A House or Business, Then It May Be Time to Buy Some Land. Whether It Is Farmland, Residential Property, Or Commercial Property, One of The Most Important Decisions You Will Make Is Figuring Out What Kind of Property to Invest in Land Purchase Decisions Can Be Quite Complicated and Can Involve Many Considerations Such as Zoning Restrictions, Taxes, Plot Size, And Price.

Buying A Plot Is Not Only a Good Investment but Also a Great Way to Build a Home in The Perfect Location. The Decision to Buy Land Should Be Taken After Careful Consideration.

When You Are Ready to Buy a Plot, The First Step Is Finding the Right Location. The Location of Your Land Will Determine How You Can Use It and What Kind of development can take place. You Need to Consider the Zoning Restrictions in The Area, As Well As the Proximity to Amenities Such as Schools, Hospitals, And Shopping Centres.

The Next Step Is to Decide on The Size of The Plot. The Size of The Plot Will Determine How Much Development Can Take Place on It. If You Are Planning to Build a House, Then You Will Need to Factor in The Size of The House and The Surrounding Gardens. If You Are Buying Commercial Land, Then You Need to Consider How Much Space You Will Need for Parking, Storage, and Office Space.

The Price of The Land Is Another Important Consideration. The Price of Land Can Vary Greatly Depending on The Location, Size, and Type of Land. It Is Important to Get a Professional Valuation of The Land Before Making an Offer.

Once You Have Considered All of These Factors, You Are Ready to Purchase a Plot of Land!

Important Considerations Before Purchasing a Plot

1. The Market:

The Market Is a Critical Consideration Before Purchasing a Plot. What Is the Current Demand for Plots? Is It Growing or Shrinking? What Are the Trends in The Prices of Plots?

2. Location:

Location Is Also an Important Consideration When Buying a Plot. What Is the Location of This Plot and What Are Its Advantages and Disadvantages? Is It Close to Public Transport, Schools, Hospitals, etc.?

3. Size:

Size Matters When Buying a Plot as Well. How Big Is This Land and How Many Houses Can Be Built on It? How Much Space Will Each House Have? Will There Be Enough Space for Parking, Gardens, etc.?

Which Is the Best Location for My Residential Plot?

Choosing The Best Location for Your Residential Plot Is Not an Easy Task. You Need to consider many factors before you make your decision.

For Example, If You Are Planning to Build a House in The City, Then You Will Need to Think About Commuting Time. In The Suburbs, On the Other Hand, There Is More Space and Less Pollution.

The Following Are Some of The Most Important Things That You Should Think About Before Deciding on A Location:

- House Size: If You Want an Average-Sized House or Something Bigger Then It Is Better to Be Located in A Place Where There Is More Space Available.

- Noise Level: If Your Work Requires Peace and Quiet Then It Might Not Be a Good Idea to Buy Property Near Noisy Areas Like a Highway or Airport.

- Crime Rate: It’s Always Better to Live in A Safe Neighborhood Where Crime Rates Are Low as Opposed to Living in An Unsafe Area Where Crime Rates Are

What Are the Different Types of Land Available?

The Term "Land" Is A Word That Is Used to Describe the Surface of The Earth. It Can Also Be Used to Describe a Piece of Land That Is Owned by Someone. The Word "Land" Can Also Be Used to Refer to An Area That Has Been Cleared and Used for Farming Purposes.

Land Can Be Classified into Three Different Types: Public, Private, And State Land. Public Land Includes Any Land That Is Owned by The Government and Not Privately Owned. Private Land Includes Any Piece of Land That Is Privately Owned by An Individual or A Company. State Lands Are Lands That Are Owned by The State Government and Includes Any Type of Park or Forested Area in Which There Are Restrictions on What People Can Do on Those Lands.

What’s the Role of Town Planners and Why Do You Need Them?

If you’re like most people, the last time you gave any thought to town planners Nowra was when you were stuck in traffic on your way to work. But what many people don’t realise is that town planners play a much bigger role in our lives than just getting us where we need to go. 

In fact, they play a vital role in zoning and managing growth, which is why it’s so important to have them on your side. So what do town planners actually do, and why do you need them? Keep reading to find out!

What Does A Town Planner Do?

Town planners Nowra is a professional who plans and designs the development of land into a community. They are responsible for the development of new communities, as well as the preservation of existing ones. Town planners work with government agencies, developers, builders, and citizens to make sure that new developments meet local needs.

Town planning helps communities grow by making sure that their growth is orderly and planned out in advance. This allows people to have access to jobs within their city limits without having any problems finding housing or transportation options nearby—and ultimately makes life easier overall!

Job duties of a town planner

Planning of towns, cities and villages

Planning of land use

Urban design

Public facilities (such as roads and bridges)

Transportation systems (such as highways or railroads).

Public works projects such as building new schools or recreation centres.

Housing projects, including building houses for low-income families.

Why are Town Planners Necessary?

Town planners are the people who make sure that your town is planned in a way that makes it easy to live in, work in and travel through. They are responsible for making sure that the town has enough housing, schools, parks and other facilities to meet the needs of its residents.

Town planning involves more than just designing buildings or roads; it also involves solving problems like traffic congestion or pollution from factories by finding ways to get people where they need to go without causing too much damage along the way.

Do I Really Need a Town Planner?

If you want to build a new home, you need a town planner. If you want to build a business, you need a town planner. And if your municipality wants to build new roads and other infrastructure projects in the area, then they’ll also need one too!

A town planner is someone who has experience working with local governments on planning issues like infrastructure development (roads), zoning regulations (building codes), etc.

So that everyone understands how things are going and feels comfortable living there together peacefully—and doesn’t have any problems later down the road because nobody knew what was going on at all times during construction time periods or when those changes were made.

Conclusion

So, do you need a town planner? Well, that depends on how much money you can afford to pay for their services and what benefits they provide. If you want someone who specialises in helping cities and towns plan for growth and development, then yes, definitely! They will be able to help develop zoning ordinances so that all residents feel comfortable living there.

Source by -  https://bit.ly/3Uy36vv 

The Cowboy - Part 4

Summary: Leaving the city for a rural area called Blayne seemed simple enough. Your task was to convince the people to agree with selling their land for a resort redevelopment. But once there, you soon realise that your city ways are entirely different to theirs. Winning their trust was going to take some effort, and when you start to fall for a local cowboy, you wonder if you really needed Blayne more than the city life after all.

Pairing: Jung Jaehyun x female reader

Genre: cowboy au / drama / romance / if you squint there’s some enemies to lovers up in here.

Warnings: Jung Jaehyun is a cowboy, need I say more? (a bit of angst and drama, and it sometimes might feel like you’re reading a Nicolas Sparks book, so I’m told lol) --- there’s a bit of angst in this part

Word count: 2078

This series will be updated every Thursday and Friday.

Preview | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

“That was delicious, thank you!”

“I hope you have room in your stomach for apple crumble,” Mr Jung said, leaning across the table towards you. “June is a mighty fine cook but an even greater baker.”

“The reason he married me, so he says.”

You smiled warmly, enjoying the banter between the pair. Their love for one another was evident. You hadn’t seen such a genuine display of affection in years. The city had jaded your parents and kept them looking for the next big project instead of cosy nights curled up together.

They’re professionals, you reminded yourself when you felt a sense of sadness for your parents. They don’t have time like they do out here.

“Were the heifers put into the bottom field?”

You had almost forgotten Jaehyun was sitting at your side until he cleared his throat then, wiping his mouth with a napkin. “Yeah, I moved them this morning.”

“By yourself?”

“You had Caleb up in the high fields with you and Avery was otherwise preoccupied with someone,” he continued, and you felt eyes boring into the side of your head on the latter half of the conversation.

You smiled brightly. “It must take a lot of people to run such a big ranch like yours, Mr Jung.”

“We make do with the help we have.”

“We could do with three more men,” Jaehyun muttered, and you looked at him, pausing in saying anything in response when you noticed the dark look within the elder’s eyes.

Blayne was under-populated. You already knew this from the basic land per capita estimates online and in the business proposal for Blayne’s development. If more jobs were created here, then the farms that were struggling would be able to hire more help.

But Blayne also lacked housing. It would need to supply appropriate accommodation for new workers. You stewed over the thought of how many changes would be needed to not only make Blayne easily accessible but also improve the existing community until a dessert plate was placed in front of you.

Blinking out of your reverie, you beamed up at June. “I cannot wait to try it!”

After dinner, you thanked both your hosts generously. “I’ve not had a home-cooked meal quite as tasty as that before.”

“Your mother?” June enquired.

“She’s a professor at the School of Commerce.”

“Ah, she would have been too busy to make meals a priority.”

“It’s okay! I admire her for her work ethic. She’s taught me a lot. Both my parents have always been busy, but that’s how it is in the city.”

“Busy people don’t often see the bigger picture. I can tell by how eager you were to take up the position out here,” Mr Jung mentioned gruffly and you nodded despite his expression. “A woman of marrying age coming up here all alone is usually unheard of.”

“Perhaps Blayne will leave an impression on Y/N, honey.” June offered, patting her husband’s lower arm fondly. She then smiled at you. “You seem quite confident.”

“I’m hopeful I can make a positive change here,” you stated, your own smile fading when you heard a scoff, and then feet moving across the gravel behind you. Darting your focus to the disappearing man that had been waiting nearby, you looked back at his parents. “Thank you again!”

“We’ll have you over anytime, sugar!”

Turning on your heel, you took the pathway that Jaehyun had just departed down, finding him strapping up the horse that had brought you here earlier in the evening. You stopped near his side, frowning at his efforts. “Should you be asking the horse to work again?”

Jaehyun looked in your direction before returning his gaze back to his efforts, not answering your question.

“Your mother said it was too dark to ride last night. Shouldn’t we take the truck since the moon is now up in the sky?” you prompted, shifting your eyes to the heavens. You gasped in awe. “Wow, I’ve never seen such a clear night sky before!”

“Pollution inhibits that,” Jaehyun explained curtly, yanking on a strap and tightening it into place.

“It’s so beautiful out here, though. It’s a shame not many people have experienced it outside of a postcard.”

“Why don’t you save the speech for someone who is interested?”

“Excuse me?” Staring back at the man beside you, you tilted your head to the side. “You’re awfully moody tonight, Mr Cowboy.”

“Back to that name, huh?”

“Well, since you’re feeling a little cold towards me, I don’t know if it’s my place to call you by your first name,” you explained. Jaehyun didn’t respond again, and you sighed. “What did I do wrong?”

“Are you always this self-centred? Can’t you see the bigger picture than the goal inside your head?” Jaehyun questioned, sliding his hands onto his hips and finally facing you. He looked you over again, much as he had earlier when he first saw you as he jumped down from the wagon. Instead of the kindness you had experienced then, it was laced with scrutiny this time. You lowered your gaze to your outfit and stepped back.

“Hey…” you started, and then squared your jaw.

Just who was this guy to act so blunt with you? You should have stuck with believing he was the rude and full of assumptions jerk just as you had thought of him earlier in the day. Perhaps it was the fresh air and gentleness of the wagon ride that had softened your heart to him somehow. You should have known better to trust in your instincts.

Turning on your heel, you started walking down the drive towards the field you had travelled across from your place to the main homestead on this land. You didn’t get far before a hand reached out and yanked on your forearm roughly. “What are you doing?!”

“Going home!”

“Oh, is that so? Through a darkened field? See, this is why you belong in the city, Y/N. You have no idea about the dangers of a working farm. You’re used to living in tiny apartments and navigating mazes of streets and buildings and-”

“I didn’t come here to have you tell me what you think about me, Jaehyun.”

“No, I’m sure you didn’t. But you did come out here all alone with zero understanding of how the country works. You’re here to change how we are? What a joke. You have no concept of what Blayne is about. You’ve not even stopped to take the time to listen to those around you. Instead, you’re dreaming up something big that none of us wants. Can’t you tell that? We might be showing you some country hospitality right now, but don’t go thinking people want you here.”

“That’s incredibly evident, don’t you worry,” you bit back, shaking his grip off your arm.

Jaehyun ran an agitated hand through his hair before looking at you again. “I’ll take you home. Come on.”

“I’m good with directions. I’ll take myself back.”

“What you see during the day changes at night around here. Hate me all you like, but I’ll take you home so I don’t have to worry about you falling in an open drain pipe.”

You opened your mouth to refute the offer, but the image he had painted was enough for you to silently march back over to the wagon. Jaehyun checked everything over again and jumped up into the seat, his hand reaching down to help you up.

Stubbornly, you ignored it and heaved yourself into the seat.

The ride back home was silent, and you preferred it that way. After the outburst in the field, you had little to say to the man. You were grateful he seemed compliant of such silence and didn’t offer any conversation from his behalf either. All the same, you were somewhat holding out for an apology.

You gained none, however.

Leaping down from the wagon, you merely tipped your head as Jaehyun did in farewell and then headed inside without a single word. You watched as the wagon disappeared thereafter, and finally, let out a string of incoherent cursing and annoyance.

You blew a strand of hair away from your face and glowered out the window. “God, I hate him.”

When the morning rose, you got up with a new plan in place. The night before, you had spent the first part of it packing your belongings and then unpacking several times over. You were done with Blayne. If the people didn’t want you here, then you would take heed of their warning and leave.

However, you had been too confident when your boss assigned you with this project.

“They will resist change, you know.”

You nodded. “Of course, but I’m equipped to handle it.”

“Are you?”

“You wouldn’t have pitched the proposal to me if you didn’t think I was the best to acquire the deal, Pierce.”

That, along with the fact that everyone seemingly had bets on when you’d depart played into your new resolve. You would show them just how capable you truly were.

First, however, you needed more information. “Is there a local library or archives here, May?”

“Library?”

You nodded. “Or a town hall? Surely the public can access the information there?”

“Our town hall was burned down ten years ago,” another person at the diner counter mentioned, despite May’s obvious hand swatting him off. He smiled at you. “You’ll have to go to the town over for anything like that.”

“Thank you, you’ve been a great help. Thanks for the coffee, May!”

Once in your car again, you headed back down the country highway and took the forty-five minute drive to the closet township. You cried with comforting relief when you heard the usual bleeps of your phone notification ring in succession.

“Ah, I’m back in a place of proper civilisation!”

Although this township had most amenities, you still were surprised by how small the town hall was. Having no luck there, you went next door to the equally quaint library and piled up all the documents and texts you could find on Blayne.

With a pen in hand ready to take down notes, you picked up the first journal and began to read.

You weren’t aware of how long you spent perusing the history of the area or familiarising yourself with the generations of family lines that were born and bred in Blayne. Stopping on an interesting line in the Jung family, you let out a low whistle. “June and May aren’t originally from Blayne?”

“Perhaps Blayne will leave an impression on Y/N, honey.”

June’s comment from last night pulled a smile onto your lips. At least there seemed to be one person rooting for your stay in Blayne.

It was then when you saw how late into the afternoon it was and you collected up your belongings, asking a clerk if you could take a couple of the history logs with you. After registering with the library and checking them out, you stepped into the warm air, smiling triumphantly at your discovery.

You then pulled out your phone, browsing through the messages you had received. Natalia had contacted you the most, and you pressed call instead of replying, waiting for the call to connect.

“You didn’t let me know if you got there safely!”

“I couldn’t really, the signal out in that place is something else,” you admitted with a grin as you headed to your car. You climbed inside it and then sighed. “I miss you, Natty.”

“Not enough to assure me that you’re alive!”

“Come on, it’s only been a few days, and I’m talking to you now. Isn’t that enough?” you humoured, watching a family cross the intersection up ahead. The little girl skipping across the road seemed so carefree compared to what you had been at that age.

You wondered if the city environment had made you cynical or if that was just who you naturally were.

Natalia cleared her throat and gained your attention again. “Yeah, yeah. So, any hot cowboys out there?”

The image of Jaehyun immediately appeared in your mind, and it ruined your mood entirely. “No. Not a single one.”

“Aw man, here I had you pegged for having a hot summer romance with some farm boy out there.”

“I’m here to work, Natty,” you reminded, both for hers and your sakes. “Even if there was someone handsome, he’s not going to do anything for me.”

_________________

Part 5

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All Norman Bates

PART FORTY-TWO OF THE DO YOU SEE HER FACE? SERIES

Pairing: Jess Mariano x Original Character (Ella Stevens)

Warnings: mentions of estranged parents, therapy, plentiful pop culture references

Word Count: 2.8K

Summary: Jess and Ella experience a bump in the road on the way to California.

A/N: Just so everyone is aware, there are only two chapters left after this, including the epilogue :)

Sighing, Jess glanced over at Ella, who sat in the passenger seat with a crinkled brow and the cap of a red pen between her teeth. They were halfway to California, and Jess didn’t think he’d seen her without that same pensive look on her face for the entirety of the trip thus far. But, he couldn’t bring himself to be annoyed at her insistence on working over the spring break. Her cheeks were lively with rosy color, and her eyes looked clearer.

They weren’t all good days. Sometimes, she would come home from work or school and fall asleep on the couch almost immediately, lethargic and unable to articulate any of the thoughts which were jumbled in a confusing, depressed mess within her head. Then, when she awoke, she would often find herself needing to cry. Whether she knew what her feelings were about or not, she would let herself cry, like her new therapist was urging her to. Jess would rub circles on her back and make green tea and listen. And eventually, she would feel better. They were working it out together, just like he promised. Most of the time, there was a gnawing guilt sitting in her stomach. He shouldn’t have to take care of her, she would think. She was holding him back. She was weighing him down. Each time she brought it up though, he would patiently remind her of how much she had helped him, how this thing of theirs was a two-way street, and that he didn’t mind.

She would smile, in spite of herself. Slowly, it was getting easier, and she was regaining her passion for things. She was drawing again, even painting, finally making use of the easel Jess had gotten her for Christmas. Jess often made jokes about how big of a role their therapists played in their lives, but they only made Ella laugh, instead of making her angry. It was true, but she was becoming less ashamed of it by the day. It would probably always feel a bit like her and Jess against the world, but their world could be bigger. Help didn’t need to be an evil. She didn’t need to make survival her ultimate goal. Instead, she was working on happiness. And, of course, the antidepressants were playing a part no one could understate.

“You’re gonna make yourself carsick,” Jess warned begrudgingly, turning down the Killers song which played on the radio.

Ella rolled her eyes but didn’t look up from the essay. “You’re the one who gets carsick, Jess. I’ll be fine.”

Again, he gave a slight sigh. Sometimes, the silence could get to even him. When she was working, it was like she was on a different planet. “Whatever, Daria. Just call me the invisible man.”

“You are so clingy,” she teased off-handedly, chuckling.

He scoffed, though a blush rose hotly up his neck and to the tips of his ears. “Am not.”

“Sure, tough guy,” she quipped, then finally looked up from the midterm papers she was grading.

The current one was a pretty decent account of how Van Gogh made the most of his madness through his art. She was pretty engrossed in it, and it was almost free of her annotations. Her harsh grading style had become almost notorious with the T.A. circle at the University. But, sometimes, people really did turn in perfect work. Besides, she knew it was better to bite the bullet and give the advice. It was what the students were there for, after all. And subtlety had never been her strong suit.

For what it was worth, she was working on the drive in an attempt to have less to do once they actually reached California. The plans were to spend the week on the beach, reading and drawing, and popping into Jess’s father’s house every now and again. The visit was partially for vacation, partially an obligatory gesture. Jess hadn’t visited in so long, the guilt was starting to get to him. His father was a douchebag, but he had still welcomed Jess into his home when he didn’t have to. The gesture certainly counted for something.

Watching the darkness of the road ahead, Jess tried to keep his anxiety at bay. He had to remind himself that Ella was with him, they were older, and even more stable than they had been the last time they visited. He didn’t need to feel nervous about the trip, but the memories of his lonely months in Venice were itching at the back of his mind. Sometimes, he would give in and scratch, even if it only made things worse. He bit at his bottom lip, eyes occasionally wandering to the sky. There were stars, lots out in the heartland of America with no light pollution. And there were hardly any other cars, as the night went from evening to late. There were no concrete plans about where to stay the night, just the next decent motel they happened upon. Each time Ella suggested stopping, Jess insisted he was fine to keep driving. He wanted to get as much done as he could manage. Truthfully, he was not looking forward to the silence of the nighttime, when Ella went to sleep and he had to be alone with thoughts of his father turning over and over in his head.

“Do you hear that?” she asked after a moment, brows furrowing. With her attention away from her work, she had begun to pick up on a faint clicking sound.

“Hear what?” Jess said, broken from his anxious reverie.

“Listen,” she said, then gave a hesitant pause. Then added: “It’s getting louder.”

Jess did as she told him, turning the quiet music on the radio all the way down. Sure enough, beneath the rushing of the tires and the occasional screech they had come to tune out after years of riding in the death trap, there was a clicking. And it was getting louder, faster and faster. Then, Jess began to feel a drag in his speed and a resistance in his brakes.

.   .   .

Too tired even to work, Ella laid with her hands behind her head and stared up at the ceiling. They were somewhere in Kansas, with shitty cell reception and even shittier motels. No auto repair shop would be open until the morning, the man with the tow truck had said, but he suspected it was the engine, based on the sound they had described to him. Luckily, the man had been kind enough to drive them to the nearest 24-hour lodging. The Ambassador would sit solitary in the tow yard until the morning, when they came to bring it to whatever repair shop had the lowest prices. In all honesty, Ella was just glad they hadn’t been forced to spend the night on the side of the highway. It had taken them almost a half an hour before finally getting Ella’s cell in the right position to handle a call to information, to get the name of a towing company. The whole ordeal had been nerve-wracking, but she was feeling marginally better behind the safety of their closed motel room door. At the front desk there sat a disinterested woman with thick glasses which magnified her light eyes and a magazine open on the desk in front of her. She had told them a lost key was a $50 fee before sending them on their way with little more than a glance.

It wasn’t a shock. Jess’s car had been living on borrowed time for quite a while, anyway. Rusty and creaky and dying. Ella almost felt vindicated. Finally, her predictions had come true. She had expressed doubt when Jess had said he would be the one driving, to give her time to work and relax. He’d been encouraging her to relax more often recently, and she appreciated it. But riding passenger in the Ambassador was anything but relaxing. Ella still couldn’t believe how flabbergasted Jess had looked when he had to pull over on the side of the road, unable to drive safely with the way the gas pedal wasn’t cooperating. Ella felt a bit of foolish nostalgia at the thought of the vehicle. Another site of their youth bites the dust.

“I don’t know,” Jess sighed into his phone, running a hand down his tired face.

He’d been talking to Sasha for the last twenty minutes. It was past ten, but not the middle of the night. Jimmy, however, wasn’t available to talk apparently. Sasha had been suggesting alternative plans for them to get to California, though both Jess and Ella knew there was no way they were getting down there anytime soon if the car was as broken as they suspected. Even if it wasn’t completely dead (which it was), they’d have to wait for parts to come in. Who knew how long that would take for such an old make and model.

Eventually, Jess pushed Sasha off the phone with some muttered excuses and forced goodbyes. His head was swimming with fatigue, and he didn’t think he could deal with another second of his stepmother. Not considering how chatty and cheery she was. Putting his cell phone on the rickety nightstand next to him, he flopped down onto his back. The comforter had a faded floral pattern, but was surprisingly soft. He blew out a long breath and shut his eyes for a moment.

“So she took it well?” Ella asked flatly. She had heard Sasha’s good-natured badgering as she lay silently next to Jess.

“Oh yeah,” Jess replied. “Very understanding.”

Ella snorted a laugh and sat up again, looking down at him. She raked her fingers through his hair affectionately. He sighed again, eyes still closed. Biting at the inside of her cheek, Ella fought back a small smirk at the sight of him in the low glow of the singular bedside lamp. The night certainly hadn’t gone according to plan, but she couldn’t bring herself to feel too upset about not making it to California. She still wasn’t the biggest fan of Jimmy or the Pacific Ocean. She kept stroking his hair, eyeing his long lashes and exhausted pallor. She could tell how sleepy he was, even if he wouldn’t exactly admit the effects of driving so long.

She looked around the small room, big enough only for a queen bed, a small TV, some nightstands, and a bathroom off to the side. The rosebud wallpaper was yellowed with age and there were a few precarious stains on the beige carpet. But the air had a homey smell of dust and she decided it wasn’t the worst place they could have ended up. Fortunately, they didn’t need to find dinner, having already grabbed some takeout about an hour before the end of the Ambassador’s long, strange life.

“At least we won’t have to reconnect with that weird guy who works on the boardwalk,” Ella said, breaking the comfortable silence.

“The guy who sells the hemp hats?” Jess asked, then cracked his eyes open again. “You think he still works there?”

“I bet he’ll still be standing out there long after you and I are dead,” Ella replied.

Jess laughed. “You’re probably right.”

“Maybe I should grade more,” she said distractedly, speaking mostly to herself as her idle hands made uneasiness creep up in her stomach.

Rolling his eyes, Jess grabbed her gently around the waist and pulled her down onto the bed, guiding her head to his chest. “This is an addiction, Stevens. I’m cutting you off.”

“Yeah, well, the first step to healing is acceptance,” she quipped, placing a kiss on his t-shirt and settling in against him. For once, she decided to oblige him and sleep instead of stay up into the early hours of the morning with her red pen. Her therapist had also suggested doing work in moderation.

Jess chuckled breathily. “It’s true.” Then, after a moment: “I think I’m honestly more upset about the car than not getting to go visit daddy dearest.”

“Yeah, I kinda figured.”

“Oh, am I that transparent?” he deadpanned.

“Like a glass house, Mariano,” she teased. “I guess it is the end of an era.”

He nodded. “Yeah. No more weird cigarette burns on the ceiling.”

She laughed. One of the only nights in high school she had ever gotten stoned, Jess had picked her up from her house by surprise, throwing pebbles at her window. He found her eyes red-rimmed and glassy, her cheeks flushed, and her mind spacey. All she’d wanted to do was drive around and smoke cigarettes and listen to Joy Division. At the time, she hadn’t told him about the blowout fight with her father and Fiona. Not until the next morning over breakfast in the diner. When she’d accidentally burned the ceiling of the car with her cigarette, leaving a dark circle, she’d started tearing up. In response, Jess lit a cigarette of his own and pressed it to the ceiling without hesitation, unphased.

Smiling at the memory, she threw an arm over his waist. “And no more barrette stuck in the window crank that won’t come out no matter how fucking hard I try.”

Jess snorted a laugh. After the Arctic Monkeys concert they’d attended the previous summer, they’d had sex in the backseat. One of her barrettes had somehow ended up eternally wedged in the window crank. The next day, she’d taken a pair of pliers to it fruitlessly. Jess had teased her, the woman who prided herself on being able to fix anything, mercilessly, ever since.

“And about a million other ‘no mores.’ Who knows what’ll happen in our next car,” he said.

“Only time will tell,” she muttered through a yawn. “I love you, James Dean.”

“Love you back,” he replied.

A gentle click sounded in the cozy quiet as Jess shut off the lamp. Getting comfortable again, he ran a hand up and down over her back and pressed a kiss to the crown of her head. Then, he bit at his bottom lip, and his mind flashed to the small red box in this duffel. With the thin gold ring, a tiny amethyst in the middle. He’d bought it months ago, on a random trip to some antique shop with Chris, and he had a few ideas in mind. He hadn’t nailed down a real proposal plan yet, but took it with to California just in case. It had been wishful thinking, of course, since California was neither of their favorite places. And they weren’t going to make it there anyway. Still, it was there. It was happening. He just didn’t know when. It made his insides feel fluttery and excited and almost sick with nerves. But, for now, he decided getting the fuck out of Kansas would be the first step.

Dozing, Ella let her mind wander again to their teenage years. She felt her heart ache with sentimentality, and then brushed it off. Not because she wanted to ignore the feeling, but because all of a sudden she didn’t feel it. She didn’t need to miss Jess when he was right next to her. She didn’t need to worry about the past. Let yourself have a middle. Lorelai’s words reappeared in her mind, soft and comforting.

“Jess?” she asked, voice beginning to grow rough with sleep.

“Hmmm?” he hummed, and she felt the word vibrating in her ear against his chest.

“Do you think that lady at the front desk is gonna go all Normal Bates on us?” she asked.

He sighed, but then it turned into a laugh. “No, Daria, I don’t think so.”

“I bet that’s what Jant Leigh thought too,” she replied, all too serious.

Jess kept his smirk. “Just call me Marion Crane, then.”

She giggled, then was quiet for another moment. Jess slipped his hand beneath her t-shirt and began rubbing small circles on her skin. Usually, she fell asleep within a couple minutes of laying down. Apparently, something was eating at her.

“I think I’m gonna take that job at the University for next year,” she spoke again suddenly.

“Really?” he asked, smirk turning to a small, genuine smile.

“Yeah,” she said, almost shyly. “I’ll have time for actually making some damn art, but I’ll still have a steady income, good benefits...ugh do I sound like a middle-aged tragedy?”

“No,” he said, reassurance in his tone. “I think it’s gonna be great, Eleanor. Seriously.”

“I just...I think I’ll be happy doing it.”

“I do too,” he said, kissing her hair once more. “Congratulations, Stevens.”

“Thanks,” she said with a nervous chuckle, blushing a bit. “And I’ll have that whole sexy professor thing going for me, which is a plus.”

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Fiber Optic Cables

Secondary coating line

Every fiber optic cable guide features a radius limiting part that prevents fiber optic cables from being bent over and above their least bend radii. The fiber optic cables have apparent advantages around the copper cables. You can find extra safety, as well as the fiber optic cables tend to be more dependable than any other wire accessible. The fiber optic cable is in the significant voltage environment. Dry-band voltage of your polluted sheath's surface of the all-dielectric self-supporting fiber optic cable is analyzed in this paper.

Secondary coating line

The fiber optic cable seven-hundred, shown in FIG. The FIMT core 702 features an interior tube 706 encompassing one particular or maybe more optical fibers 708. The fiber optic cable will be the principal decision for prime velocity Net connections along with the most important substance useful for region to place or continent to continent Online connections. By going the connection type from copper to fiber optics it can allow the DisplayPort to attain better bandwidths that happen to be vital for HDTV playback and when you think about there are lots of games that you just can engage in over the internet, streaming them through the DisplayPort directly to your Lcd Tv might be a person choice the sector will soak up the around upcoming. The fiber optic cable could be installed very easily from level to stage, passing right future to major sources of EMI without having result. Conversion from copper networks is a snap with media converters, gadgets that change most sorts of systems to fiber optics.

The fiber optic cable assembly involves a bundle of fiber optic fibers, a tube, a observe, a plurality of fasteners and securing implies. The tube has a front floor plus a rear surface area. The fiber optic cable transmits the photon to a next quantum dot that also transpires to become sitting down between two mirrors. In such cases, the mirrors "catch" the photon and bounce it from the quantum dot till it eventually absorbs it. The fiber optic cable has an stop that is definitely stripped. The stripped end contains a bare fiber that extends in the connector and through the ferrule.

The fiber optic cable carries a number of providers all over campus which includes: voice, online video, cable Tv set, and facts. Besides possessing the fiber cable in place, newer fiber cable Tv set distribution gear grew to become a lot more available in a reduced price. The fiber optic cable and lens makes it possible for the instrument electronics to become retained far from the concentrate on environment wherever it could be subjected to increased temperatures, smoke, dust, steam or impressive electromagnetic emissions these as generated by induction heating. Each the stainless steel lens and rugged cable assembly may be replaced during the subject with out returning the instrument for calibration (a singular attribute). The Fiber Optic Cable Blower is suitable for the installation of fiber optic cables with diameters from 0.23" (five.eight mm) to 1.13" (28.7 mm) into innerduct from 0.98" (25 mm) outer diameter to one.97" (50.0 mm) outer diameter. The right size cable seals, feed tube and venturi needs to be determined for the cable remaining mounted.

The fiber optic cable receives enter in the reflection off of your internal 3/4 inch diameter sphere surface. The IS1 is right for transportable coloration measurements and functions just like a cosine receptor for irradiance measurements. The fiber optic cable (20) includes a light-weight carrying center (28), a cladding (30) plus a buffer (32). The cladding displacement connector (ten) has surfaces (sixty,62) that may be useful for displacing the buffer (32) and cladding (thirty) to expose (34) the light carrying heart (28).

Fiber-optic wires carry info while in the form of light-weight . To help make a fiber-optic nanowire, engineers initial commence which has a common fiber-optic cable. Fiber-optic cable has become getting used to transport both equally video clip and audio signals for brief and lengthy distances. This can be produced doable by modulating a video/audio sign(s) on to a beam of coherent light-weight, that is produced by a solid-state laser.

Fiber-optic cables usually are not crimped, soldered, or twisted jointly when they are repaired. If the cable is broken, one more cable has to be slice to suit between the 2 connectors. Fiber-optic technological know-how is very well regarded in telecommunications, regional spot networks, the CCTV security marketplace and in numerous Clever Transportation Procedure (ITS) highway projects. Even CATV (cable) distribution to varied regional feed points in just a household local community has become plan for fiber.

Network operators wish to recoup the price of the fiber-optic cable as well as other infrastructure parts which make a high-speed Net probable. They argue which the updates are needed to provide these innovations as high-definition video-on-demand and high-quality teleconferencing. Our typical fiber-optic ribbon cables give exceptional tensile power and resistance to cut-through and abrasion although preserving flexibility. Cables can be found for aerospace along with other demanding purposes. The fiber-optic cable didn't allow that.

glass,eyeglasses

Fiber Optic cabling is designed with glass fibers. Supply quite small variation during the signal they have above lengthy distances. Optical engineers have found that including distinctive further substances to the fundamental silicon dioxide they might change the optical qualities in the glass. By adding about 4% germanium dioxide (GeO2), by way of example, they could produce a glass that has a lot less attenuation, and far 'flatter' attenuation across various frequencies of sunshine, than silicon dioxide by by itself. Despite the fact that fibers may be built away from either plastic or glass, the fibers applied in long-distance telecommunications purposes are always glass, thanks to the lessen optical absorption of glass. The sunshine transmitted via the fiber is confined thanks to whole interior reflection inside of the material.

FYI, fiber optic (the main of it, not shell to go over it) is designed of glass rather than plastic. The fiber optic strands of glass (optic fibers) within just fiber optic cables carry analog or electronic alerts during the method of gentle waves. Length and capabilities will boost even more when the glass results in being much more pure.

Remembering the headache and also the good white gentle from superior SiO2 glass, Richard knew the formula will be ultra pure SiO2. Richard also understood that Corning produced superior purity SiO2 powder, by oxidizing pure SiCl4 into SiO2. NEP Supershooters has adapters that do the job across the fiber by breaking out the glass, but this suggests the camera have to be run within the closest electrical outlet or generator. It can be only one more thing to go erroneous in the event the ability plug gets pulled or the generator quits. A fibre optic cable is made up of the glass silica core by way of which light-weight is guided. This is protected using a substance which has a refractive index of somewhat significantly less compared to core.

The core and also the cladding (that has a lower-refractive-index ) are usually built of high-quality silica glass, though they might both equally be produced of plastic too. Connecting two optical fibers is finished by fusion splicing or mechanical splicing and requires particular expertise and interconnection know-how thanks on the microscopic precision required to align the fiber cores. A type of cable that transmits details as light-weight by way of strands of glass in lieu of electrical power through copper . Fiber-optic cable is often a amazing point; it may possibly transmit nearly insane amounts of information for each 2nd , and it is actually completely impervious to surge s, magnetic fields , lightning , and all of the other EM nasties which can influence copper cable. Fiber optic information transmission works by using mild in glass fiber cable as a interaction medium. It can be excellent for spanning locations with significant interference, these as close to major electrical equipment, welding or radio transmissions.

Fiber optics are skinny filaments of glass by means of which gentle beams are transmitted. Advantages of fiber include high info carrying ability (bandwidth), really small error rates and insensitivity to electromagnetic interference. Then, the bare glass (one hundred twenty five mm) is cleaned and established set up less than a distinctive laser underneath a custom made photograph mask that is definitely established 50 mm above the cable. As soon as the laser performs its cycle, the assembly has become personalized. Abraham Van Heel covered a bare fiber or glass or plastic using a clear cladding of lower refractive index. This shielded the whole reflection surface area from contamination and greatly decreased cross communicate amongst fibers.

Fiber-optic cable consists of glass fibers, allowing for appreciably bigger transfer speeds as opposed to copper. Facts are transmitted inside the form of mild pulses injected by a laser or an LED. The cable utilizes glass fibers in place of copper wires to transmit discussion and facts. AT&T's old cables generally are shark- free because they don't emit a great deal magnetism. Glass cables need to get custom-cut so that they have a nice crisp edge that doesn't scatter the light, but their plastic cousins is often trimmed on the jobsite. Still, no ordinary wire cutter will do.

From a technical standpoint, fiber optic cable consists of the bundle of glass or plastic rods that will transmit information alerts. Fiber optic cable can send and receive in both analog and digital formats, and can have online video, voice, and internet packets. Some new cable designers will actually give built-in bend limits to protect the glass within.

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Richard Mays fights pigs, pollution and plans for bigger highways

The blight-buster.

For reasons that will perplex and surely distress the people who come after us, the folks who fight to keep our air and water clean and limit the degradation to our natural world are usually on the losing side of that fight. Developers, the side with the money, usually win, thanks to prevailing philosophies that money is almighty and people have dominion over the earth.

Still people fight for a healthy environment, and when they do, they hire Richard Mays, considered by those who work with him to be unparalleled when it comes to understanding the National Environmental Policy Act and how business interests try to get around it. "He's one of the top [attorneys] by far, in the state if not the region," said Judge David Carruth of Clarendon, who worked with Mays to halt the Grand Prairie Irrigation Project until it could be designed in a way that would not harm the White River. "He's probably one of the most knowledgeable guys on water issues," said Glen Hooks, the director of the Arkansas chapter of the Sierra Club, who worked with Mays to ameliorate the detrimental effects of the Turk coal-fired plant in Southwest Arkansas.

In North Arkansas, it's the monitoring of the pig farm on a creek that feeds the Buffalo National River that keeps Mays busy. In Russellville, he's known as the man who's helped delay for nearly 20 years a slack-water harbor and transportation hub the city hopes to build on the Arkansas River, in a floodplain south of town.

In Little Rock, it is highway widening that has people knocking on Mays' door.

Two weeks ago, Mays filed a request in federal court for a temporary injunction against the Arkansas Department of Transportation's project to widen two-and-a-half miles of Interstate 630 from six lanes to eight. The project will cost $87.3 million and require the demolition and reconstruction of three bridges between University Avenue and Baptist Health. The highway department persuaded the Federal Highway Administration that no environmental study was needed on the project. Mays, attorney for plaintiffs David Pekar, George Wise, Matthew Pekar, Uta Meyer, David Martindale and Robert Walker, argued that the project didn't qualify for such an exclusion. Federal Judge Jay Moody denied the request for an injunction, and the widening project has begun.

You win some; you lose some. In 2004, federal Judge G. Thomas Eisele ruled against Mays and Carruth in their attempt, on behalf of the Arkansas Wildlife Association, the National Wildlife Association and others, to enjoin the Grand Prairie project to pump water from the White River to irrigate 250,000 acres of thirsty rice fields. The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals later denied their appeal of Eisele's ruling.

But in 2006, federal Judge William R. Wilson ruled with Mays and Carruth, ordering the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to halt construction on a pumping station that was part of the $319 million project until it could better study the impact of pumping on the ivory-billed woodpecker newly discovered on the Bayou DeView.

"You just have to keep fighting, keep pushing back," Mays said in an interview last week. "You don't want to stop development, at least I don't. People have to eat ... [but] that doesn't mean you have to trash the environment."

Carruth said he told Mays at the time that he wished the courts had ruled on the merits of their argument — that pumping water from the White would lower water levels and endanger wetlands, fish and other wildlife downstream "and that it cost too much money." Mays responded, "Instead, you gave them the bird."

***

Gordon Watkins, president of the Buffalo River Watershed Alliance, which hired Mays to represent it before the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality in cases involving the controversial C&H hog farm near a creek that feeds into the Buffalo, said it's more than Mays' expertise that's important to his group. "Lawyers can do whatever their clients ask, but to find a lawyer who actually believes in your cause is important to us, [someone who believes] we were right and would represent us with that in mind. His mind was in the right place; his heart was in the right place."

Mays, 80, who has been an environmental lawyer for 40 years and worked for the Environmental Protection Agency for eight years in Washington, D.C., said he takes on such cases "because of the desire and the need to protect and help the world, if you like." He said his eight years at the EPA were some of the best years of his life. "I felt like I was really doing something I was philosophically interested in and wanted to do."

Mays attributes his desire to protect the natural world to his childhood in El Dorado. "When I was growing up, my father would rather be hunting or fishing than anything on earth," Mays said. His father owned a grocery store, but on the weekends, "he would be out on the river or in the woods, and I was usually with him." And from his mother, he inherited an appreciation for literature and writing, "so that turned out to be a pretty good background for being an environmental lawyer," Mays said.

Mays works in Little Rock (at least) two days a week, at the Williams and Anderson law firm. He commutes from his home at Eden Isle on Greers Ferry Lake. The case he won there, he says, is the one he's most proud of, since it concerned his backyard — literally.

Mays moved back to Arkansas in 1998 after 20 years in D.C., buying a home on Eden Isle. He chose the area because of Greers Ferry Lake and the Little Red River. Right after he took up residence there, the Corps of Engineers proposed a shoreline management plan that would open up the undeveloped main lake to boat docks. The lake is zoned, with boat docks in the coves only and the main body of water reserved for public recreation. "It's unbroken shoreline," Mays said, "with not a whole lot of boat docks and clear water, clean water."

Mays was thinking it was a bad idea, and so was Carl Garner, the retired resident engineer who had worked at the lake since its construction began in 1959, a man so connected to Greers Ferry Lake that his name appears on the visitor center there. Garner called Mays on the advice of a mutual friend and Mays invited him over. "I expected to see somebody walk in, a whip-cracking authoritarian type, somebody who looked like George Patton with jodhpurs, and there this guy walks in and looks like Ichabod Crane," Mays said of Garner, who died in 2014. They became good friends and with other residents formed Save Greers Ferry Lake, which hired Mays to file a preliminary injunction against the Corps' plan. He won, and the plaintiffs and the Corps eventually settled. Greers Ferry Lake remains mostly undeveloped.

It may seem like such a victory — for aesthetics — isn't as important as, say, keeping the highway department from doubling the size of I-30 through downtown Little Rock or a coal plant from spewing mercury into the air. There were arguments to be made about increased water pollution on the lake. But protecting the lake was "a personal thing," Mays said. It was important to his family and others, "a place where you go to feel refreshed."

"People can get very caught up, and justly so, in a place where they can feel like they are in communication with nature, with God, if that's what you're into. That's what makes environmental law practice so interesting to me. I feel like it's preserving things we need to have."

That kind of emotion and love for place is what saved the Buffalo River from being dammed and what keeps its advocates fighting to keep the beautiful national treasure clean.

***

Mays said he figures he gets a good outcome in his cases about half the time. Environmental cases are "very difficult" to win, he said, because "courts give considerable deference to agency decisions. If you're trying to overturn ADEQ or EPA or the federal highway administration, you're fighting an uphill battle."

Settlements are hard to get as well, Mays said. But that's what he got when he fought the Southwestern Electric Power Co.'s coal-fired Turk Plant in Fulton. The Sierra Club and the Audubon Society, both national and the state chapter, challenged the plant's water permit from the Corps of Engineers in 2010 and won an injunction. But that was just a portion of the plant; construction continued. Still, with the conservationist's good outcome on the injunction, SWEPCO agreed to a settlement that would allow it to complete the plant. In return, the company fitted the plant with more equipment to reduce emissions and agreed to shutter another coal-fired plant in Texas sooner than planned.

Mays' 50-50 record held true in a hearing last week before the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission for ADEQ, when Mays (on behalf of the Buffalo Watershed Alliance) and Sam Ledbetter (representing the Ozark Society) suggested that newly appointed Commissioner Mike Freeze recuse from decisions on C&H. They cited Freeze's emailed comments on C&H's permit application in 2017 in support of the hog farm — in which he wrote "enough is enough" in the permitting process — as evidence the commissioner could not be impartial. The commission, however, voted to support Freeze's refusal to recuse.

But after Mays and Ledbetter argued later in the same meeting that the administrative law judge for the Commission was correct in his finding that the hog farm's extended permit wasn't perpetual, the Commission agreed, voting to support the administrative judge. It was a win for conservationists and a win for Mays. Mays told the Commission that the lawyer for the hog farm had tried to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. The ADEQ previously denied a second permit for C&H. The hog farm appealed that decision and can continue to operate while an administrative law judge considers the appeal.

So while an outright win may be hard to get, fighting wide roads and coal plants and hog waste on various fronts, including noncompliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, also helps delay the degradation, and "you may be able to wear them [the opponents] out," Mays said, or national policies may change that may hinder the project. That was the case in the Grand Prairie Irrigation Project: When Judge Wilson issued the order requiring study to protect the bird, the federal government had already pulled funding for the project. (The project continues, but with a greater dollar burden on the state and the encouragement of conservation strategies by farmers.)

More often, however, the development side of the equation in litigation has more money and more lasting power.

***

Many people who haven't previously been wrapped up in environmental cases are now, thanks to the potential impacts of the 30 Crossing project, the highway department's plan to replace the Interstate 30 bridge and widen I-30 for a little over 7 miles at a cost of $630 million. ARDOT wants to double the width of the interstate through downtown Little Rock by building two connector-distributer lanes on either side of the highway to provide exit from and entrance to I-30.

When I-30 was built in the 1950s, neighborhoods east of the interstate fell into decline. That area, buoyed by the Clinton Presidential Center and Heifer International, is now experiencing a renaissance, with a new school, new restaurants, new housing and new businesses. Its progress follows the revitalization of the west side of the interstate, with the old downtown resuscitated by the River Market district and new development attracted to Main Street north and south of Interstate 630.

The logic behind 30 Crossing, says its foes — and there are many in Little Rock — is outdated. The transportation design ignores alternatives to using downtown Little Rock and North Little Rock as the main thoroughfare to highways north and south. It does not contemplate alternatives to cars, such as public transit or bicycle and pedestrian transportation. While cities such as Portland, Ore.; Rochester, N.Y.; Milwaukee; Boston; San Francisco; New Haven, Conn.; Seattle and Dallas are tearing down interstates and replacing them with people- and business-friendly boulevards and parks, Little Rock and North Little Rock are about to get more concrete.

Opponents of highway widening — including neighborhood associations, downtown residents, a retired Texas transportation executive and a retired economist and natural resource planner — have hired Mays to represent them should the Federal Highway Administration issue Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) in its evaluation of the Environmental Assessment on 30 Crossing to green-light the highway project. That finding could come as early as mid-August, according to the highway department.

On July 27, at the end of a 45-day public comment period on ARDOT's draft Environmental Assessment, Mays filed a 16-page comment challenging, among other things, the department's traffic modeling and its ignoring the indirect impact of induced travel on communities outside the project area. It notes the lack of consideration of HOV (high-occupancy lanes) lanes or other routes to handle the rush hour traffic that ARDOT gives as its reason for widening and its failure to "fully address" health effects from air pollution caused by increased traffic.

The comment also suggests that Arkansas — which has the 12th largest highway system in the country, with more highways to maintain than Illinois, California, New York and Florida — struggles to maintain the roads it has now. It points to a column written by state Highway Commissioner Alec Farmer in Arkansas Talk Business in which Farmer says ARDOT needs $400 million in new highway funds simply to maintain what is built now, and that revenues from the gas tax will decline as more electric cars are built.

Mays said that the 30 Crossing project presents "an opportunity to force the agencies involved — state and federal — to take a hard look at updating the thinking toward highway traffic, how to handle highway traffic by means other than simply putting more lanes on the highway. I believe we're on the cusp of a breakthrough on technology that will affect our highway travel dramatically."

The 30 Crossing widening is designed to address traffic in "design year" 2041, when ARDOT says 153,000 vehicles per day will use I-30. The highway department's preferred model, six lanes of through traffic and four collector-distributer lanes, would allow cars traveling south on I-30 during afternoon rush hour to travel at 30 to 50 miles per hour (considered a "somewhat congested" situation). That suggests there will be two decades of smooth sailing through Little Rock, no rush hour traffic at all.

"It's ridiculous to think that you can predict that far," Mays said. "It's a total mistake to do [the widening] at this time. It was the thing to do in the '50s and '60s, but not now," given the technology — like self-driving cars and new safety-features being built into vehicles — that will be available in not too many years from now.

What we don't need, he said, is to spend nearly a billion dollars on highway projects in Central Arkansas in the anticipation of a transportation future we can't predict.

The highway department, using funds from a $1.8 billion bond issue funded with a tax increase approved by voters, is spending nearly $90 million on the widening of I-630 (three times its estimated cost), which has already started; an estimated $80 million on widening Highway 10 (previously estimated at $58 million); $23 million on new ramps at Highway 10 to I-430 northbound; and a figure estimated a couple of years ago at $630.7 million on 30 Crossing.

(Dale Pekar, who is one of Mays' clients, raised the issue of cost in his public comment on ARDOT's draft environmental assessment. ARDOT says if construction — which is being combined with design — costs more than the funds available to the project, contracts will be let "at a future date" to complete the project. Pekar said that provision "makes the entire analysis unreliable," and if ARDOT comes up short, it should take it from low-priority projects — which is what it threatened Metroplan it would do if the planning agency didn't agree to add lanes to the corridor.)

"I'm not opposed to spending money in this area," Mays said, "but I don't know how the people in the rest of the state feel about it. It seems to me we ought to be thinking about how we can get more value [from the $1.8 billion total] for a longer period of time, rather than more lanes that may or may not be used in 20 years."

It's no surprise the highway department wants to build highways rather than think about transportation holistically. (ARDOT used to be the Department of Highway and Transportation, but recently dumped Transportation from its name, perhaps to fend off suggestions it thinks differently.) "It's a matter of mindset. This is what they get paid to do." Figuring into that is what Mays called "bureaucratic inertia."

"Sometimes you have to force their attention by filing lawsuits. I've found that, sometimes, litigation is the best way to bring about change ... or at least, to get their attention."  

Richard Mays fights pigs, pollution and plans for bigger highways

I-35 is About to Get a Whole Lot Wider in Austin

a brief overview of tx-dot's i-35 expansion plans, the effects it would cause, and what you can do to stop it

What’s happening?

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is redesigning I-35 from 290 E to SH 71/Ben White Blvd. This project is called "I-35 Capital Express Central", part of a bigger project "Mobility35".

I-35 Capital Express Central proposes the addition of two HOV lanes in each direction, the removal of the upper decks, lowering some lanes downtown, and creating shared use paths for bicycles and pedestrians. This would make I-35 20 lanes wide.

Right now TxDOT is in the "scoping phase" of the environmental process. This is an early step that involves collecting community input. This is the third of four public input sessions from Tx-DOT.

TxDOT will then utilize the feedback they collect to refine their plans.

HOV lanes - high occupancy vehicle lanes (car/vanpools, emergency services, and public transit vehicles) 

The Process

Tx-DOT has outlined three main phases to complete the I-35 expansion project in Austin. 

Why This Matters

Environmental Responsibility - Expanding a highway to 20 lanes will increase emissions, pollution, contribute to climate change, and more. The best way to combat climate change in regards to mobility is to provide increased modes of transportation, not expand ones that prioritize car mobility.

Segregation - I-35 was built as a racial and economic segregator of East and West Austin and expanding it wider contributes to this division. We should be focused on connecting these parts of the city, not making the literal gap between them wider.

Congestion -  It is well documented that expanding highways does not decrease traffic. Allowing more lanes of traffic doesn't fix the traffic problem, it makes it bigger. We need to focus on alternative modes of transportation to have a meaningful impact on traffic in Austin.

The Plans

Despite public promises in 2020 from Texas Transportation Chair J. Bruce Bugg that the CapExCentral would go "no wider and no higher" than the current I-35 profile, Tx-DOT has narrowed their plans to two build ideas, both of which indeed go wider than the current I-35 profile, as well as one non-build alternative.

Frustratingly and unsurprisingly, the most equitable plan which did NOT expand I-35 wider or higher, was dismissed by Tx-DOT.

Both build plans will:

-remove the upper decks

-add two HOV lanes in each direction (+4 lanes)

-lower some of the main lanes of I-35 below street level

-add mixed use bicycle/pedestrian paths

-acquire 30+ acres of Austin land

-displace around 150 homes and businesses

The Main Plans

The differences between the two build plans are very minor: how much land Tx-DOT would acquire, how certain lanes are stacked, and some other smaller details.

The Major Issues

Expanding I-35 will disproportionately affect bipoc communities - Not only is I-35 a physical segregator of East and West Austin, but the environmental, cultural, and health consequences would also negatively and disproportionately affect bipoc communities.

Expanding I-35 will cause massive environmental issues - When we prioritize car transportation, we encourage the use of more cars, increasing emissions in the air that we breathe every day. Transportation is already the #1 cause of emissions in Austin.

Expanding I-35 will not decrease traffic - Tx-DOT themselves have acknowledged that expanding I-35 will not provide meaningful congestion relief. When you create more space for vehicles, more vehicles will come, creating more traffic. This is called induced demand.

Prioritizing car travel is dangerous -  I-35 is already the most dangerous interstate in Austin. By expanding it, injuries and deaths on the road would increase.

What You Can Do

1.Make Your Voice Heard: Legally, Tx-DOT must publish and consider all public comment they receive throughout this process.

The deadline to submit comment is Friday, September 24th.

You can send a prewritten letter here: https://bit.ly/3CjERHB

You can write your own letter here: https://bit.ly/3EsAdZS

You can call them here: (512) 651-2948

You can email them directly here: [email protected]

2. Share: Every comment matters in ensuring the I-35 Tx-DOT reconstructs through Austin serves the community. Talk to your people and make sure everyone has a plan to voice their opinions on the I-35 expansion before Friday, September 24th.

follow organizations like Reconnect Austin and ReThink35 to stay up to date about this project. 

"[I-35] is the physical manifestation of a segregationist past and segregationist policies. It's the poster child of car choked mobility systems. It pumps countless tons of carbon and pollutants every single year into the air we breathe and right now, right now, TxDOT thinks the best way to build I-35 is to build more I-35....Something needs to be done about I-35, but the final plan needs to be no wider and no higher than what we have right now. It needs to reflect our community's values when it comes to mobility, safety, carbon emissions, and reconnecting our very fragile and fractured communities." - Mayor Pro Tem Natasha Harper-Madison

Sources:

https://www.kut.org/transportation/2021-09-13/heres-every-property-that-would-lose-land-to-txdots-i-35-expansion-in-central-austin?fbclid=IwAR3iK0_IGBvJjZF1zj-5UXOBS0m7bpiePXoRsFyMj2Xm5s7kIRU1zEjM_nI

https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2021/09/01/austin-i-35-expansion-txdot-construction-opposition/5681378001/?fbclid=IwAR2MJtMyFFAfa0KbEac9izTWo9vMfwasBs9g0Dw3h_2W-QcUR3W5us6pX40

https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2021-09-10/every-comment-counts-to-get-txdot-to-try-harder-on-plans-for-i-35/?fbclid=IwAR2ztPccxzUUMFCro1uAqIvAtqfA6lqoYSCuLrD8yRnfc5oLLS5IWeJgpt4

https://actionnetwork.org/letters/i-35-no-to-txdot-plans?source=twitter&fbclid=IwAR2xMhRzPyY5i6IkK5PXE41qX6B5jsKSGgiCXZBASg3g3NNYRNTwglHs5hw

https://capexcentral.mobility35openhouse.com/submit-a-comment/?fbclid=IwAR003gyhybaFzqV9LkF02-H1WmUNb7ahXbU0V-pTkzkdmavCSBDmoZlCN88

https://www.facebook.com/ReconnectAustin

https://my35capex.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CapEx-Central-Fact-Sheet-English.pdf

https://www.instagram.com/p/CTw3xk7FpBs/

https://capexcentral.mobility35openhouse.com/build-alternatives/

https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2021-09-10/every-comment-counts-to-get-txdot-to-try-harder-on-plans-for-i-35/?fbclid=IwAR2ztPccxzUUMFCro1uAqIvAtqfA6lqoYSCuLrD8yRnfc5oLLS5IWeJgpt4

https://capexcentral.mobility35openhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/CapEx-Central-Project-Overview.pdf

100 Smart Cities Mission and Dholera Biggest Greenfield Smart City

Smart City builds smart future and the place for industrialization to boost the employment rate and growth of the economy. "100 Smart Cities Mission" was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25 June 2015. A total of US$14 billion was approved by the Indian Cabinet for the development of 100 smart cities and the rejuvenation of 500 others US$6.7 billion for the Smart Cities mission and total funding of ₹50,000 crore (US$7.0 billion) for the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) have been approved by the Indian Cabinet.

There are a lot of smart cities such as Copenhagen, Boston, San Francisco, and Montreal. These cities are already equipped with intelligent infrastructure like smart parking services or smart public transportation, while monitoring air quality and emission levels.

The Microsoft founder Bill Gates bought nearly 25,000 acres of land in Arizona to build Super Smart City. In India, GIFT city is the first smart city built from ground level in the state of Gujarat. Dholera SIR biggest greenfield smart city also lies in the state of Gujarat is the first biggest project in India.

The most crucial thing anyone should consider when it comes to smart cities is brownfield or greenfield. Let’s understand the concept of Brownfield and Greenfield.

The terms “Greenfield Project” and “Brownfield Project” are used in many industries. Greenfield describes a completely new project that has to be executed from scratch, while a brownfield project is one that has been worked on by others and is now being handed off to someone else for completion.

When it comes to smart cities I think Dholera SIR “Biggest Greenfield Smart City in India” is the most advanced tech city in the state of Gujarat, India.

Let’s take a brief dive into the concept of Dholera :

Dholera Smart City, the ancient port city in the Gulf of Khambhat in the state of Gujarat is alive with fiery activities. The Biggest Smart City Dholera SIR( Special Investment Region ) is in the making in full swing. Being one of the pioneers among the many a  greenfield city being contemplated, Dholera is beckoning global investors. The innovative concept of co-existence of industry, education, and residential areas makes a new definition of diversity.

The first greenfield city, as described by Niti Ayog Dholera is spanning over several acres. Dholera SIR can boast of a six-line expressway, monorail rail, and even a greenfield airport shortly.

Dholera SIR(Special Investment Region):

The DSIR is a greenfield industrial city planned and located approximately 100km southwest of Ahmedabad. The Government Of Gujarat has created a legislative framework for the formation of a Special Investment Region Act 2009. Under the act, a regional development authority for DSIR has been established: The Dholera Special Investment Region Development Authority (DSIRDA) has the responsibility Of planning and development Of DSIR. Dholera Industrial city will have its own self-sustaining ecosystem consisting of economic drivers through industrialization, utility & logistic infrastructure, Social Infrastructure including education, healthcare and Other public amenities. Spanning approximately 920 sq. km, encompassing 22 villages Of the Dholera Taluka in the District Of Ahmedabad, is envisaged to be bigger than the city of Ahmedabad. It is strategically located between the industrial cities Of Ahmedabad, Baroda, Rajkot and Bhavnagar.

This 'dream come true' project is the brainchild of the Gujarat state. Giving due emphasis on the industrial eco-system without the usual congestion and pollution, this smart city can boast of having cutting-edge infrastructures like roads, drainage, reliable power supply, and telecommunication facility. This novel green city concept can be the catalyst for connected areas like air traffic and ancillary industries development. The educational hub is yet another remarkable and fitting venture for this greenfield project.

Undoubtedly, Dholera SIR is going to be a torchbearer for many such smart city projects in the length and breadth of India.

Smart homes in Dholera Smart City:

SmartHomes Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. entered the Dholera market 6 years back and now is one of the leading and most innovative developers of Dholera SIR. SmartHomes Infrastructure owns a huge land parcels & multiple projects in Dholera Smart City. Smart Homes is focusing on developing projects in TP 1, TP 2, and 11 sub-TPs of Dholera SIR which will be on both side of the express highway near airport and on the border of Dholera SIR.

Smart homes in the smart cities are becoming a reality and not a myth in India with the advent of the Dholera SIR. This concept is proven beyond doubt to be ideal in countries like Dubai. The satellite city projects are of dire necessity for managing the swelling population and overcrowding of Indian metro cities.

Even though criticized by many as Utopian dreams, the smart city concept like Dholera SIR is going to stay and flourish in India for sure. As the name suggests, smart cities use state-of-the-art technology to withstand climatic vagaries and natural disasters to a very great extent. The eco-friendly zero emission industries are the need of the hour and these smart cities are capable of transforming the present scenario dramatically.

Food for thought- Smart cities:

Dholera Smart City on DMIC (Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor)  is already attracting investors, residential developers, educationalists, and industrialists at an unprecedented rate. With the present trend, the snowballing effect in increased and exponential footfall is anticipated extensively. The Dholera smart city is bound to open up a new vista to economic development in India. The meticulous planning in the infrastructure, logistics, education, health care, pollution, public utilities, job opportunity, etc would bring Dholera SIR world-class in every respect.

This 4000-year-old Dholera port city is again making history with the smart and sustainable city- all the way. This smart city project is going to be a stimulus and even a case study for future projects in India. No wonder that the Indian press acclaimed this mind-blogging project as a ‘Singapore in the making’ in India.

G.M.’s Electric Car Push Could Put China in the Driver’s Seat SHANGHAI — The business of making cars has reached a critical juncture — and it looks as if China is in the driver’s seat. General Motors’s surprise announcement on Thursday that it aspires to eliminate gasoline and diesel cars from its fleet by 2035 and embrace electric cars follows a road map successfully drawn by Beijing. To get there, G.M., the Detroit stalwart and symbol of American industrial might, may have no choice but to embrace car and battery technologies in which Chinese companies play leading roles. Even when setting the time frame, G.M. seems to be matching Beijing’s speed. Just three months ago, Chinese policymakers ordered that most vehicles sold in China must be electric by 2035. “When it comes to global automakers’ electric vehicle plans, all roads lead back to Beijing,” said Michael Dunne, a former president of G.M.’s Indonesia operations. Precisely how G.M. will shift its industrial capacity isn’t entirely clear, and the company declined on Friday to comment on what influence Beijing’s policies may have had in its planning. It didn’t mention China in its announcement on Thursday. It didn’t have to. China has the market clout and the steadiness of regulatory policy to influence automotive decisions made from Detroit to Tokyo to Wolfsburg, Germany. China already is by far the world’s largest car market, accounting for a third of global sales. It is bigger than the American and Japanese auto markets combined. G.M. and Volkswagen now both sell more cars through joint ventures in China than in their home markets. But China’s sway also extends to the business of making electric cars. Worried about its own pollution problems and keen to stay competitive in the technologies of the future, Beijing has long lavished subsidies on its electric car industry. During the global financial crisis a dozen years ago, China was already offering its taxi fleets and local government agencies up to $8,800 per car to choose electric models. Today, China is the leading maker of big battery packs for electric cars, producing considerably more than the rest of the world combined. Chinese regulations required until a year ago the use of Chinese battery suppliers, instead of their mostly Japanese and South Korean rivals, for electric cars sold with Chinese subsidies. That forced multinationals to place huge orders with CATL, the main Chinese producer. Chinese companies dominate the world’s production of electric motors. China has even gained control of much of the world’s production of key raw materials needed for electric cars, including lithium, cobalt and minerals known as rare earth metals. Major global automakers are already developing electric cars in China. Daimler and Toyota have jumped into extensive joint ventures with Chinese manufacturers to build electric cars. Ford Motor announced on Thursday that its new Ford Mustang Mach-E, the most head-turning car at the Beijing auto show last autumn, will be manufactured in China as well as Mexico. So far, no Chinese company has produced an electric car that can rival Tesla in capturing the world’s imagination, although one, NIO, is trying. But China has completed many of the steps along that road. Notably, Tesla began making vehicles in a factory in Shanghai a year ago. The world’s shift to electric cars, “is based on the Chinese technological road map,” said Yunshi Wang, the director of the China Center for Energy and Transportation at the University of California, Davis. China is not trying to set global standards just for electric cars. It is also moving quickly to commercialize large numbers of self-driving cars, a technology developed in California. China is also trying to take the lead on how cars connect to the internet, through its planned nationwide deployment of 5G mobile communications. Chinese government mandates require widespread installation of these technologies by 2025. That has pushed Chinese and Western companies alike to adapt. “From this we can see, autonomous driving and intelligent connected vehicles are no longer a mere vision, they are a close reality,” Stephan Wöllenstein, the chief executive of Volkswagen China, said last week. G.M.’s Thursday announcement validates China’s long bet on electric cars. Just a few years ago, American carmakers were committed to gasoline engines. German automakers were pushing diesels. Japanese companies were emphasizing gasoline-electric hybrids. China chose battery-powered electric cars. It announced in 2017 that it was phasing out fossil fuels for cars by a then-unspecified date. Many in the industry were skeptical. Mary Barra, the chief executive of G.M., flew to Shanghai two weeks later and declared that while G.M. planned to put more electric cars on the road, the company believed that consumers, not governments, should decide when to stop buying gasoline- and diesel-powered models. “I think it works best when, instead of mandating, customers are choosing the technology that meets their needs,” she said at the time. China has taken a different approach. Given the cost and complexity of developing electric cars, the government has set big targets and offered the support to help its companies meet them. When it comes to the car industry, “the most important thing is what the government does,” said Liu Jing, a professor at the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business in Beijing. The big obstacle right now to selling electric cars is cost. Making the battery pack costs as little as $1,500 for the simplest Chinese-brand electric subcompacts, which are not really suitable for highway driving because of their slowness and modest range. But the cost is as much as $12,000 for a high-performance car, like a Tesla. Gasoline engines in each category of car size and performance typically cost less than half as much. Yet battery costs around the world are tumbling by nearly one fifth each year. Chinese companies with lavish government backing have built immense battery factories deep in western China, notably in Qinghai Province, where much of the lithium for the batteries is mined. Mass production has yielded formidable economies of scale. China is also the world’s main producer of electric motors and a wide range of other electronics. China’s drive for dominance in electric cars began in 2007. That was when Wen Jiabao, then China’s premier, unexpectedly selected a former Audi engineer, Wan Gang, to become the minister of science and technology. Mr. Wan, who had also served as president and as director of the Center of Automotive Engineering at Tongji University in Shanghai, was a passionate advocate of electric cars. Mr. Wan had strong support from China’s military and intelligence community, which had long seen the country’s oil imports as a strategic vulnerability. In 2008, Mr. Wan’s first full year in office, China manufactured only 2,100 electric cars. But production has soared since then, reaching 931,000 last year according to LMC Automotive, a London data firm. China also got help from Western companies who were getting little support at home. G.M. agreed in 2011 to transfer battery technology and other electric car technology to a joint venture in China with the country’s largest state-owned automaker, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation. G.M.’s 2011 announcement was made at a time when the Chinese government was putting heavy pressure on foreign automakers to transfer electric car technology to joint ventures in China. Such technology transfers — which foreign companies sometimes complain they are forced to make to gain access to the big Chinese market — have become a major issue between Washington and Beijing. The transfers were cited by officials under Donald J. Trump, the former president, as one reason for launching a trade war against China. Now many Chinese companies are joining the electric car push. Zhejiang Geely, a Chinese carmaker, announced on Friday that it and Foxconn, the contract manufacturer of Apple iPhones and laptop computers in huge factories in China, were in talks to help Faraday Future in the United States make electric cars. By this autumn, said Mr. Liu, of the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business, “you’re going to see a flood of electric vehicles all over the place, going into the market.” Source link Orbem News #car #China #Drivers #Electric #GMs #Push #put #Seat

2020: Manila Bay dolomite sand project stirs controversy

#PHnews: 2020: Manila Bay dolomite sand project stirs controversy

MANILA – Controversy hounded the move to use crushed dolomite boulders along a portion of the Manila Bay beach, a vital part of the bigger Manila Bay rehabilitation project spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

In September, the overlaying of the dolomite in Manila Bay beach or the beach nourishment project caught public attention, stirring curiosity and setting off waves of people flocking to the area to get a glimpse of the "white sands".

Many criticized the project, throwing allegations at the DENR, calling the project a health hazard and a waste of public funds.

But the DENR emphasized that the beach nourishment with the use of dolomite is a significant component of the rehabilitation aimed to protect the coastal resources in the area and prevent coastal flooding, erosion, and pollution.

Being a mineral, a naturally occurring chemical compound that is calcium magnesium carbonate, DENR said the dolomite is not detrimental to the ecosystems of Manila Bay, and is a known neutralizer that lessens the acidity of seawater making it popular for use in fish aquariums.

As to the claim that the dolomites allegedly pose health hazards to the public, the Department of Health also assured that “no untoward incidents will occur as a result of the endeavor”.

The DOH said the dolomite material used for the project is 100 times bigger than dust, hence it does not get suspended in the air that would make it hazardous.

The health said the “dolomite, in its bulk state, is not a known health hazard” and is not included in the list of carcinogens.

The estimated cost of the entire Manila Bay rehabilitation project is PHP389 million, of which, around PHP28 million is allotted for the dolomite overlay.

On claims that the project is a waste of public funds, Cimatu assured the public that the funds used for the project will not be put to waste as people expressed fears that the dolomite sands would simply be washed away especially during typhoons.

He said engineering interventions were made to prevent the artificial white sand from being washed away.

The project, he said, likewise passed the required environmental impact assessment.

Despite the criticisms, many also expressed appreciation especially when people started flocking to have their pictures taken at the beach area.

For many, this is a man-made white sand beach in the middle of the city, a first in history seen by many, including the local government of Manila where it is situated, to boost local and international tourism and generate jobs for residents.

The DENR said the beach nourishment project is more than just aesthetics.

It said it is a strategy to promote pro-environment behavior among Filipinos with the hope that the white sand would inspire people to be more mindful of their obligation to help keep the Manila Bay clean.

Manila Bay rehab to continue

The Manila Bay rehabilitation efforts also include continuous bay and estero clean-ups and the setting up of sewage treatment plants.

The whole program, which started in January 2019, was also called “Battle for Manila Bay” aimed at “restoring the water quality of Manila Bay in accordance with the Writ of Continuing Mandamus of the Supreme Court”.

Among the challenges faced by the DENR this year are the limitations in mobilizing people due to the community quarantines imposed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Our work continues despite the limitations in mobilizing people, especially for our clean-up, monitoring, and enforcement activities,” said Cimatu.

He said among the significant accomplishments for the rehabilitation is the inauguration of the solar-powered sewage treatment plant (STP) in July.

He said STP is capable of treating 500,000 liters of wastewater per day from three drainage outfalls—Padre Faura, Remedios, and Estero de San Antonio Abad.

A significant decrease in fecal coliform has been recorded in three priority sites, namely, the Baywalk area, Estero de San Antonio Abad, and Baseco Beach.

In the Baywalk area alone, fecal coliform went down to 2,211,833 most probable number per 100 milliliters (MPN/100ml), compared to 5,666,213 MPN/100ml in 2019.

Regular clean-up activities were also regularly conducted in creeks, esteros, and river systems.

An average of 60 metric tons of garbage was collected daily for a total of 24,471.30 metric tons from 2019.

With the help of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), dredging and desilting operations were also ramped up.

DENR said a total of 210,549 cubic meters (m3) of silts and submerged garbage were dredged in the Baywalk area while about 551,768.72 m3 of dredged materials were collected from the different esteros, creeks, and rivers.

These include esteros in eight priority river systems: San Juan River, Pasig River, Tullahan-Tinajeros River, Navotas-Malabon River, Parañaque River, Las Piñas-Zapote River, Taguig-Pateros River, and Marikina River.

Moreover, geo-engineering interventions have been introduced in the bay areas that include the installation of trash booms and silt curtains.

Portable toilets were also installed at Parola compound in Tondo in partnership with the Manila city government and other stakeholders.

The project aims to minimize open defecation in Manila Bay by informal settler families (ISFs) in Manila.

In Baseco, a circumferential sewerage interceptor was constructed and communal septic tanks were installed to minimize the direct discharge of untreated wastewater to the bay.

The DENR is optimistic that said measures will help clean the waters of Manila Bay.

However, Cimatu said the whole Manila Bay rehabilitation project will not be successful without the help and cooperation of the public.

He said this is not only an effort of the government but of every Filipino working hand in hand.

The cleanup and rehabilitation of the Manila Bay are guided by the Operational Plan for the Manila Bay Coastal Strategy which covers the period 2017-2022, and by Administrative Order No. 16 issued by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in 2019.

The President’s directive also includes the monitoring of establishments for pollution and compliance to required standards, as well as the monitoring of water quality in key river mouths, outfalls, and bathing beaches along the Manila Bay region. (PNA)

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References:

* Philippine News Agency. "2020: Manila Bay dolomite sand project stirs controversy." Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1125931 (accessed December 30, 2020 at 11:53PM UTC+14).

* Philippine News Agency. "2020: Manila Bay dolomite sand project stirs controversy." Archive Today. https://archive.ph/?run=1&url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1125931 (archived).