Out with cars and in with podcars. Car-makers across the world try hard to green their machines. But United Arab Emirates plans an entire city, albeit spread over 2.5 square miles, a zero-carbon, zero-waste and car-free! It’s motto in effect is, out with cars and in with pod-cars. Masdar city, its new-age project, with no cars within its walls will instead have a light rail system and a Personal Rapid System instead. No drivers for podcars too.

Those commuting to Masdar for work must leave their cars outside the city walls. Masdar City can house 50,000 people, with an equal number travelling to work in it. Its battery-powered `Podcars’ in a grid will form the PRS, travelling at about seven meters a second, at different stations. Passengers must swipe cards to use the system.

What’s more! Rush hour congestion will be zilch, with the computer network controlling the podcars movement. An expensive system considering it is a prototype yet. On the energy burn-up front, it will be lucrative. Its makers say it may not be best as bus systems currently thriving in cities, during peak hours. But in non-peak hours, it can outdo bus systems. Masdar may provide inputs for transport in smaller towns, and in places like universities, hospitals and business districts.

Via Gizmag