Narrow Ultralight Commuters and Roadways (NUCAR)

This paper describes a new concept for a personal transportation system in the United States. The concept, called Narrow Ultralight Commuters and Roadways (NUCAR) consists of light vehicles together with a network of light vehicle roadways dedicated to their operation. Based on initial analysis, the concept results in a 40% decrease in US fuel consumption and automobile exhaust, a 42% reduction in direct highway construction cost, and a 25% reduction in vehicle fatalities over the next twenty years. Additionally, quality of life is preserved because the concept avoids the formation of densely populated areas surrounding major traffic arteries and urban mass transit systems. Despite the significant advantages of NUCAR, the concept is a difficult one to sell. The paper describes the use of virtual reality technology to help sell the NUCAR concept. Virtual Reality allows developers, planners, citizens and government officials to experience a future commute in their city with and without NUCAR.