Hybrid buses

My response to Harvey Mudd College's essay prompt: What troubles you most about the world around you? Assuming the obligation and opportunity to change your world, where would you start and how would you use technology in your endeavor? Describe your cause, why it is worthwhile, and your proposal for its resolution.

At the moment, the degradation of the environment and rather unrestricted exploitation of natural resources troubles me greatly. Every day, I see the effects of suburban sprawl, as patches of forest are converted to apartment buildings, office complexes, and malls. I visit California, and I see people stuck in traffic, while the carpool lane is empty. I walk down the street, breathing in fresh clean air and enjoying the moment, only to be interrupted by a cloud of noxious exhaust from a passing truck. I see elementary school children enjoying themselves on the playground, only to notice a couple of yellow school buses parked next to them. Much of the industrialized world is heavily dependent on fossil fuels, whose large consumption leads to excessive emissions of harmful gases, including carbon dioxide. These emissions cause numerous problems, including global warming; therefore, it is apparent that an increase in the fuel efficiency of our machinery would decrease our energy dependency and improve living conditions for both humans and wildlife. While numerous alternatives exist, including hydrogen power and natural gas, it is my firm belief that recent advancements in gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle technology must be built upon with the quickest pace possible, so that all vehicle types are available in hybrid versions, including tractor trailers, long-range buses, and pickup trucks.

It is important to start at the biggest root of these problems: trucks and buses. Quite appalling is that the very same school buses that drive small children to school are some of the dirtiest vehicles on the road. They frequently idle immediately after school, when children come rushing out of their classes, eager to get home. In this state of excitement, the children have higher respiratory rates and are met by diesel gasoline exhaust instead of fresh air, which is quickly absorbed into their bloodstream. It is clear that these buses play a role in the huge and increasing number of asthma sufferers, most of which are children. What is even more ironic is that the buses are a form of carpooling, which is a benefit to the environment, but their harmful emissions greatly outweigh the benefits of this mode of transportation. In my opinion, our federal and state governments should invest in the development of a hybrid school bus. This would be especially effective, because these buses spend much time idling, a situation in which hybrid vehicles really shine. Asthma problems will be alleviated, as the number of afflicted individuals would drop significantly due to reduced emissions. The conversion of school buses into hybrid vehicles will have immediate and tangible effects on the communities, which they serve.

The reason I suggest this solution, and not another, such as hydrogen power, is due to its practicality. Hydrogen-powered buses would require so much time and money for development and production that most governments would refuse to provide the necessary resources. Natural gas, while a viable alternative power source, is problematic, because its combustion releases carbon dioxide, which is believed to be a factor in global warming. In contrast, gasoline-electric hybrid school buses would require much less money to develop, enabling state governments to catalyze the production of these buses. The hybrid buses would also reduce emissions across the board, including smog-forming and global warming-causing emissions. While school buses are a small segment of the entire bus and truck operational market, their number is still large enough to make a difference in the communities in which they operate. The mass production of hybrid school buses would also put in place the largest and most demanding field test of hybrid truck powertrains in the world, resulting in a domino effect, which would cause even greater numbers of trucks and cars to be converted into hybrid models (assuming positive test results). In general, when I see something that upsets me, I try to find a feasible portion of this problem that can be attacked quickly and have visible effects in a reasonable amount of time. While converting the nation's school buses into hybrids is only a small piece of the entire pollution and emissions puzzle, it is a significant one, and one that can be fixed with a reasonable amount of investment to provide the necessary results in a relatively short span of time.

This solution would do much to reduce the amount of harmful emissions released into the atmosphere and would win further acceptance for hybrid vehicle technology. This is also a worthwhile undertaking, because it makes children's lives better. It protects the planet for them, so that they may enjoy it in equal or better form than we did, by reducing the magnitude of global warming and keeping the air cleaner. This hybrid solution will decrease the amount of immune system stress, bringing clear health benefits and keeping children healthier, so that they may enjoy this planet's treasures longer.

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