Wagons lead the Way

 

Context :

Indian Railways To Equip Over 3 Lakh Wagons With GPS For Real Time Tracking

( IndianInfraHub  / 23 Feb 2022 )

Extract :

After installing radio-frequency identification tags (RFID) in wagons, Indian Railways will now opt for global positioning system (GPS) at an estimated cost of Rs 600 crore for the entire fleet of wagons to track it in real time.

A step towards increased use of technology for smooth running of freight operations, the Union Budget 2022-23 has made provision for all 3 lakh wagons to be equipped with GPS technology for mapping and visibility in real time basis for an effective and faster mode of operation in wagon management, said a senior Railways Ministry official.

GPS technology is widely used in the logistic industry and it is a digital tool for asset tracking. Currently, data is maintained manually, which leaves scope for errors. With GPS, it will be much easier for the railways to know the exact position of all the wagons.

Earlier, a drive was launched to equip wagons with RFID systems and accordingly, more than 1 lakh wagons are being tagged with RFID systems. However, the RFID project will not be cancelled and the work would go on as per the sanctioned order.

There would be a total 2.25 lakh wagons to be installed with RFID as per the already sanctioned work. The railways maintained that using GPS would effectively tackle the challenges of managing huge inventory in terms of wagons and tracking accurate location of the entire fleet even while in transit.

The satellite-based GPS will facilitate the railways to track wagons in a better way to address the wagon crisis, if any, on a real time basis, said the official.

The railways has set a procurement target of 102,000 wagons in the next three years while about 35,000 in the 2022-23 fiscal. The railways also plans to procure 10,000 freight bogies with improved dynamic performance and low maintenance for higher performance.

 

MY  TAKE  :

Will this initiative someday lead to implementation of my following suggestion ? To me, it seems inevitable

Ø  Transport : an Integrated Logistic Plan ? ……………………..[ 20 Nov 2018 ]

 

Here are what two leading expert’s thought about my suggestion :

 ==================================================

On Dec 5, 2018 8:58 PM, Hemen Parekh <hcp@recruitguru.com> wrote:

Dear Prof Davidoff ,

I just read about your concept at :

https://scienceblog.com/504629/property-tax-based-on-rent-potential-what-a-concept/comment-page-1/#comment-421694

About 2 weeks back , I developed a very similar concept for a TRANS-TAX ( transport tax ) based on “ Harm Potential “ of all vehicles

I would be happy to receive your comments on :

Transport : an Integrated Logistic Plan ?

https://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2018/11/hq.html

with regards,

hemen Parekh

=======================

Davidoff, Thomas thomas.davidoff@sauder.ubc.ca

 

Hemen

Thank you for this note. What you propose sounds like an integrated Pigouvian

approach to transport pricing, which I agree would be great.

 

Regards,

Tom

==================================

On Mar 22, 2019, at 11:47 PM, Hemen Parekh <hcp@recruitguru.com> wrote:

 

Dear Gourab,

Just came across following article about your research :

Using Laws Of Physics To Untangle Traffic Jams, Stock Markets, And Other Complex Systems   

 

Your research assumes significance , considering that Vehicular traffic– especially urban – degrades environment and quality of life , all around the world

There are several dimensions of this “ Urban System “ that need to be tackled as a whole 

In this context, do you think the conceptual framework outlined in my following blog looks feasible ?

Transport : an Integrated Logistic Plan ?  

 

Related blogs :

Trans-portability Theory    

 

National Clean Air Tax ? – a Pigovian tax ?    

===============================

Dear Mr. Parekh,

Thanks for your note, and your interest in our group’s research. 

As your proposal falls into the broader philosophy of dis-incentivizing private

transport, or more accurately incentivizing the use of public transport, the

ideas outlined in your blog are certainly worth exploring. 

Of course, this might serve as one of “a basket of options” available to us to tackle

this rather complex issue. 

As you correctly surmise, much of it depends on the political climate of each

region, and the willingness of the citizenry to undergo some level of immediate

hardship in service of longer-term goals.

 

A multifaceted and flexible approach is therefore the need of the hour. 

With regards,

Gourab

===============================

Gourab Ghoshal

Assistant Professor
Physics, Computer Science and Mathematics

University of Rochester

464 Bausch and Lomb Hall | Box 270171
Rochester, NY 14627
p: (585) 276-7748 | f: (585) 273-2813
http://gghoshal.pas.rochester.edu/

===================================================

Related Readings :

12 best ways to get cars out of cities – ranked by new research  

In all, we have screened nearly 800 peer-reviewed reports and case studies from

throughout Europe, published since 2010, seeking those that quantified where and

how cities had successfully reduced car use.

The most effective measures, according to our review, are :

Ø  introducing a congestion charge which reduces urban car levels by anywhere from 12% to 33%,

  and

Ø  creating car-free streets and separated bike lanes,

 which has been found to lower car use in city centres by up to 20%.

 

 

 

 

True Caller ? Tenacious Caller ?

 

Context :

Truecaller Government Services With Digital Directory of Verified Contacts Launched in India        

[ NDTV – 07 Dec 2022 ]

 

Extract :

 

Truecaller launched Government Services in India on Tuesday. This new feature adds a digital directory to the app with verified contacts of government officials.

It is designed to protect users from fraud, scams, and spam by people pretending to be government officials.

 Truecaller users will be able to identify a verified government number with its background and blue tick.

In addition, Truecaller is working with different government departments to expand the directory based on user feedback. This feature is expected to streamline people's access to government representatives.

Truecaller Government Services includes thousands of verified government contacts.

This digital directory gives users access to helplines, law enforcement agencies, embassies, educational institutes, hospitals, and other key departments of about 23 Indian states, including union territories.

The caller-identification company says that these numbers are sourced directly from the government and official government sources.

It has also created a simple process for government agencies to have their numbers verified and added to the directory.

Truecaller plans to add government numbers at the district and municipal levels in the next phase.

 

MY  TAKE  :

No doubt that the service that Truecaller has launched will be useful for the Government departments “ to

have their numbers verified and added to the directory. “

 

But it will have limited use for those 240 million users of Truecaller

How does it help to know the telephone number ( landline ) of the BMC ( MCGB ) ward officer of K-East ward of Mumbai ?

Just try dialling !

What Indian Citizen want is to be able to :

Ø  Send SMS / Whatsapp message to the MOBILE NUMBER of that Ward officer

Although UMANG App ( and website ) launched by the Central Government, is a great facility for availing of many SERVICES offered by various State Governments, it has no provision of lodging complaints

Central Government has launched   CPGRAMS website for citizen to lodge complaints to the public authorities on any subject related to service delivery. These complaints can also be sent using its Mobile App, My Grievance .

My own experience of use of this App is rather disappointing !

 

What more is needed ?

 

A website which enables citizen to :

 

Ø  Compose a SUGGESTION document

 

Ø  Email it to a group of Public Servants ( Ministers / Secretaries )

 

 

I suggest Central Government launch this as shown below ( in my 2015 website ) :

Influence Policy Makers

 

Extract :

[ aka : Transparent / Non-Commercial / Public Interest , Lobbying ]

Dear Visitor , Do you have any suggestions on ,

  > Economical / Political / Social problems facing India ?

  > E-Governance ? Ease of Doing Business ?

  > Reducing Poverty ? Increasing Cleanliness ? Administrative / Government

     Procedure Reforms ?

Here are, a few of my own Suggestions

If so , then from this page , send your well-articulated / positive / concrete /

action-specific suggestions ( not generalities / platitudes ), to our Policy Makers

We will deliver your suggestions to the concerned officers ( or Group ), within 24

hours , as emails

Please do NOT make ,

  > Suggestions for serving Self-interest ( must be for Public Interest )

  > Complaints against individuals by name

  > Running down / defaming an individual or group

  > Suggestions that hurt feelings of any specific group / community / religion

  > Suggestions that spread hate / communalism / divisiveness

Apart from,

  > BUSINESSES / INSTITUTIONS / PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS / CHAMBERS

     / NGO .... etc.,

we encourage even,

  > INDIVIDUALS to take advantage of this UNIQUE opportunity

If , you wish to send your suggestions in your personal capacity ( without

revealing the name of your Organization ) then , select following options

while Registering :


  > Name of Organization > Type your own name

  > Nature of Organization > Non-specified / Others

  > Email Id > Your private Email Id

As for the TYPE of Message is concerned , on COMPOSE page please select,

  > Canvassing / Lobbying / Inviting- Giving Suggestions / Seeking Support /

     Trying to Influence

Simply ,

  > Register > Compose Message > Blast from this page

Your voice will be heard , only if you SPEAK - UP !

with regards ,

- Hemen Parekh

PS:

I encourage Policy Makers ( included in our database ) themselves to come

forward and REGISTER on this site

They too , may not want to be at the " Receiving End " all the time !

Ministers / MPs / MLAs  etc may want to send out messages like,

  > Lobbying for their own views

  > Policy Explanations

  > Planned Reforms

  > Target vs Actual Achievements ( Score Card )

  > Inviting Suggestions ( Opinion Polls )...etc

This page is their chance to engage in a two-way communication with people they

try to serve !

All persons trying to influence others , MUST provide their full Contact Details (

Name / Phone No / Email ID ) in the message itself

All messages without such contact details will be rejected

Select Message               Select Message Demo Message 1 Demo Message 2

Select Member Type                               Select Member Type Member Of Parliament - Rajya Sabha ( 251 Members ) Member Of Parliament - Lok Sabha ( 471 Members ) Chief Ministers of States ( 28 Members ) Chief Secretaries of States ( 31 Members ) Secretaries  Directors of Industries ( 49 Members ) Member of Legislative Assembly ( 1423 Members ) Union Council of Ministers (Cabinet) ( 26 Members ) Ministers of State ( 39 Members ) Secretaries to Government of India ( 75 Members ) Principal Secretaries - Industry of Indian States ( 16 Members ) Editors / Journalists / Correspondents ( 417 Members ) Economists ( 160 Members ) TV / News Anchor ( 21 Members ) Business Leader ( 153 Members )

 

====================================================================   With Regards, Hemen Parekh hcp@RecruitGuru.com  / 20  Dec  2022   Related Reading :   Ø  Refuse To Give Up………………………………………. [ 29 Apr 2015 ]   Ø  My Birth-Right : Trying to Influence……………. [ 04 Aug 2017 ]   Ø  But I have promises to keep…………………………. [ 30 Mar 2021 ]   Ø  Hey, Govt ! do you mean Monologue or Dialogue ? …[ 16 Apr 2021 ]

 

Caught in a Vicious Circle ?

 

Context :

 

Contribution of air conditioning adoption to future energy use under global warming   /  2015

 

 Extract :

Take India, for example. Compared with the United States, India has four times the population, but also more than three times as many cooling degree days (CDDs) per person (3). Thus, India’s total potential demand for cooling is 12+ times that of the United States. Air conditioning is still relatively uncommon in India and other low-income countries, but this is poised to change dramatically as incomes rise around the world.

 

'Warming to spur demand for a new AC every 15 secs by 2037'  /   TOI   /  02  Dec  2022

  

Extract :

 

Rising average temperatures due to climate change will spike the demand for cooling in India by eight times over the current levels by 2037 leading to demand for a new air conditioner every 15 seconds, according to a new report by the World Bank released on Wednesday

 

With an expected  rise of 435 % in annual greenhouse gas ( GHG ) emissions over the next two decades, keeping spaces cool using alternative and innovative energy efficient green technologies can open up an investment opportunity worth $ 1.6 trillion by 2040, says the report

 

Referring to different scientific studies, the report flagged that over 160-200 million people in India could be exposed to lethal heat wave annually by 2030 and around 3 million people in India will face job losses due to heat stress related productivity decline

 

It said the current food loss due to heat during transportation is close to $ 13 billion annually

 

Shifting to a more energy efficient pathway could lead to a substantial reduction in expected CO2 levels over the next two decades , and can create 3.7 million jobs.

 

“ India’s cooling strategy can help save lives and livelihoods , reduce carbon emissions and simultaneously position India as a global hub for GREEN COOLING  manufacturing. The report suggests a sustainable road-map ( to ) reduce 300 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually by 2040 “, said Auguste Tano Kouame, the World Bank’s country head

 

 

 

MY  TAKE  :

 

Vissious circle :

More the climate gets hotter, more the requirement for Air Conditioners

These ACs create demand for more electricity – which comes from Coal / Gas operated power plants

These fossil-fuel based power plants produce more Green House Gases ( GHG ), which, in turn, raise the ambient temperature further 

That pushes up the demand / production / sale of more ACs

The circle keeps revolving !

 

What is the Solution ?

 

( A ) 

Stop producing “ dirty “ electricity , which requires fossil fuel to produce.

Quickly change over to  “ clean “ electricity, produced by using Solar / Wind

power

( Forget hydroelectric / nuclear power plants which take decades to build )

            

 

Alternately ( - I would say, simultaneously )

 

( B ) 

Develop Air Conditioners which do NOT require electricity to operate !

 

Here is that technology :

No Wires, No Electricity, : World’s First Nitrogen Powered Air Conditioner  

[ 07 Aug 2022  ]  

 

Extract :

Startup patents breakthrough way to stay cool outside without harming the planet

Liquid nitrogen is being used to power the world’s first air conditioner that works

without electricity.

There are no wires, no power supply and no greenhouse gas emissions with

the revolutionary Kensho unit, which has been developed and patented in Israel.

It simply, silently and gently blows out a jet of freezing nitrogen gas at -10C (14F)

that cools the surrounding area.

The first models are to be piloted later this month at six restaurants in Tel Aviv

and the company behind the invention, Green Kinoko, says they’ll be ready to

market the product in summer 2023.

“We have invented an outside air conditioner which doesn’t need electricity. It

creates its own energy,” CEO Tal Leizer tells NoCamels. She says it’s based on

textbook physics.( Moran@green-kinoko.com )

 

“Everybody is amazed about how simple it is, how this energy was right under our

nose, but we just hadn’t thought how to use it. Cooling is a lot more difficult than

heating, but we have a great solution. And being outside is a basic human need,

so we are addressing that as well.

Liquid nitrogen is widely used as a coolant in many industries, but Leizer and her

team hit on the idea of building on existing technology to develop a patented

system with it to cool the outside air.

“We create the energy from the pressure that is created between liquid nitrogen

and gas nitrogen,” she says.

“We use liquid nitrogen at minus 196 degrees. When it turns into a gas it

 creates a very strong pressure and we use that pressure to activate a mechanical

 engine.”

Nobody has used liquid nitrogen before in this way, she says. Her team had

been working with cryogenic (very low temperature) liquids in an unrelated

project and realized the potential value of nitrogen.

Leizer, who also founded the tech consultancy firm Practical Innovation, said she

 realized there was a gap in the market when she was on holiday in Rome.

“It was the first time that we felt we couldn’t sit outside in the middle of the day

 because it was so hot,” she says. “It was 35C.

“We looked around and everything was empty, people didn’t want to sit outside. I

 did some research and found out that in 2010, the average summertime

 temperature in Rome was 30C to 31C (87F). Ten years later it was 35C (95F).

“A lot of cafes and restaurants can’t welcome their clients in the middle of the day,

 because it’s too hot outside.”

Two years and several million R&D dollars later, Green Kinoko, based in Shefayim,

 in central Israel, has the first working prototypes of a machine that could re-write

 the rules of outdoor air conditioning.

“We are now calculating the carbon footprint. We are using liquid nitrogen,

 which is a by-product of the oxygen manufactured for hospitals. And our device

 emits nitrogen, an inert gas that we are breathing,” says Leizer.

“Compare that to other air conditioners with gas that is toxic and polluting. We

 don’t have any polluting gases. And we don’t consume electricity. An electric

 air conditioner adds heat to the atmosphere. We have an alternative that doesn’t

 add heat to the atmosphere.

“Our technology solves many environmental challenges such as greenhouse gas

 emissions, electricity consumption, noise, and humidity creation.”

The cooling solution makes outdoor living a pleasant experience, and helps

 combat global warming. Owners will typically have to replace the nitrogen every

 seven to 10 days, depending how much they use it.

Electric outdoor air conditioners use a water evaporation process to generate a

 cold breeze. They’re power-hungry because instead of cooling a room with closed

 windows, they’re bringing down the temperature in the great outdoors.

“We have invented a new generation of air conditioner,” says Leizer. “The

 technology is unique and amazing.”

The company already has facilities to produce the machines at scale for Israel, as

 well as its next target market, the UAE. It is now looking for investors to take the

 product global.

The price to the consumer is likely to be similar to conventional, electric

 machines. The price for the planet will be less.

 

Dear Shri Bhupendra Yadavji ,

[ Minister - Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change / mefcc@gov.in  ]

 

I urge you to inquire with that Israeli company regarding licensing its technology

 to one of India’s government Research Labs

In turn, this Lab can sub-licence this tech to Indian AC manufacturers ( I suggest

FREE )

Simultaneously introduce a LAW, which would require AC manufacturers to phase

 out their existing technology based ACs by 2027 ( just like shift to BS 6

 standards for autos )

Get BEE ( Bureau of Energy Efficiency ) to lay down  “ Electricity Energy

 Consumption Standard “, as per :

Energy Consumption Standards : A Beginning

 

With regards,

Hemen Parekh

hcp@RecruitGuru.com  /  19 Dec 2022

 

Related Readings :

Ø  Thank You, Shri Bhupender Singh Yadavji ………………[ 29 May 2022 ]