It isn’t a grand idea like the Orient Express or a luxury train through Saudi Arabia (the Dream of the Desert) but a German R&D project piques curiosity on its feasibility to repurpose inner city and suburban railways. It helps urban and suburban renewable and seniors get around.

In New York, old rail lines were turned into The High Line, a gorgeous urban park platform full of urban gardens, art and the best ice cream sandwiches you’ll find in the world. It’s a must when you visit New York. Tel Aviv’s train lines, the ones that travelled from Jaffa to Beirut and from Jaffa to Jerusalem have also got an upgrade — into an urban center and shopping area called The Tachana, or The Station. Dog parks, playgrounds and cafes line the old rail tracks that are still apparent when you take a stroll.

How many cities and suburban areas have out of commission rail tracks?

The German innovators, a collection of researchers and city planners, are hoping to put oil train tracks to use by creating monorail cabs that can traverse the lines already laid down. This is especially important in the countryside where older people don’t drive and small towns are dwindling as people move to the cities for better access to resources. The cabs roll on one wheel, are stabilised by a gyroscope and allow two in opposite directions to pass one another.

They are called Monocab Owls. The pictures speak for themselves. And if anyone has ever lived through an urban improvement period as I have in Jaffa, you will know it can tear down trees (see how ecologists fought the city and won!), it costs millions of dollars, the dust and pollution is horrendous and it takes years of unpleasantness for residents. In Jaffa, dozens if not a hundred retail businesses were decimated in the process of building the cities Light Rapid Train. A Monocab could be a great solution until we all get renewably powered Jetson cabs that fly in the sky.

The Monocab project is a collaboration of many partners and include Ostwestfalen-Lippe University of Applied Sciences, the Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, the Fraunhofer IOSB-INA, the RailCampus OWL, and the Lippe district.

The project funding is provided as part of the implementation of the operational program of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in North Rhine-Westphalia, with co-financing by the Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, and Transport of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

We’d love to see this low-cost solution developed in suburban centers allowing residents to enjoy mobility without the cost of developing new infrastructure that can cost millions.

By investing in ideas like Monocab Owl, the EU is revolutionising sustainable commuting. This gyro-stabilised monorail offers autonomous, on-demand transport, boosting rural connectivity. A big yes for the environment.

The post How to repurpose oil railway tracks using a German Monocab appeared first on Green Prophet.

When faced with the challenges of raising a child with disabilities, families often navigate a complex web of treatments, interventions, and therapies. Amidst this array of options, physiotherapy stands out as a powerful tool that can profoundly impact a child’s quality of life. It goes beyond just physical improvements; physiotherapy offers a transformative touch that can shape brighter futures for children with disabilities.

The Essence of Physiotherapy

At its core, physiotherapy focuses on enhancing and restoring functional movement. For children with disabilities, this can mean various things: developing the strength to sit independently, improving balance for confident walking, or refining motor skills to engage in play and daily activities. Through targeted exercises, techniques, and tools, physiotherapists work diligently to help children overcome physical barriers.

The Age of Adaptability

Children, with their innate adaptability, often respond remarkably well to physiotherapeutic interventions. Their young bodies and brains are highly plastic, allowing for significant improvements and adaptations. This plasticity, when combined with physiotherapy, creates a window of opportunity to mold and shape optimal physical outcomes.

Beyond Physical Milestones

While the tangible milestones achieved through physiotherapy—like taking a first step or climbing a playground ladder—are cause for celebration, the intangible benefits can be even more significant. Children who can move more freely often experience boosts in confidence and self-esteem. Their world becomes less restrictive, opening doors to social interactions, academic opportunities, and a richer tapestry of life experiences.

Physiotherapy can also act as a foundation for other forms of therapy. For instance, a child who gains better control over their limbs might find it easier to engage in occupational or speech therapy. The synergy between different therapies amplifies the benefits for the child.

Building a Supportive Environment

Physiotherapists do not work in isolation. They often function as part of a larger team of caregivers, teachers, and other therapists. By understanding a child’s physical capabilities and limitations, they can guide families and educational institutions in creating supportive environments. This can include anything from recommending adaptive equipment to suggesting classroom setups that accommodate a child’s unique needs.

Furthermore, the bond between a physiotherapist and a child can be truly special. Through regular sessions, they become trusted figures in the child’s life, cheering on every achievement and offering support through every challenge.

Staying Updated and Informed

When planning and managing therapy, understanding NDIS pricing arrangements is essential. Familiarizing yourself with these arrangements ensures you can effectively budget and access the services your child needs without unexpected financial constraints.

The realm of physiotherapy is dynamic, with constant research unveiling better techniques, tools, and strategies. For parents, staying updated can make a significant difference. Joining support groups, attending workshops, and staying in touch with the child’s physiotherapist can provide insights into the latest advancements that might benefit the child.

For families residing in Australia, it’s paramount to ensure that the physiotherapist working with your child is registered with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Choosing an NDIS registered physiotherapist guarantees that the professional understands the intricacies of treating children with disabilities, offering a consistent standard of care and expertise.

Physiotherapy’s transformative touch is a beacon of hope for many families. Through the hands of skilled professionals, children with disabilities are offered a chance to unlock their full potential, paving the way for brighter, more fulfilling futures. Whether it’s the joy of a child taking confident strides or the subtle growth in their social interactions, the profound impact of physiotherapy resonates in every aspect of their lives.

Want to learn more about holistic approaches to disability? Be inspired by this man who travelled 100 miles in his wheelchair.

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The car in question “won’t go too fast; it will be small and easy to get around in,” Leibe said, according to Haaretz.

“It’s urban, it’s not meant for a trip to Jerusalem.”

Although no concrete plans have been made, the city is toying with the idea of offering either small two seater vehicles like Renault’s Twizy or electric scooters that can be rented on a short term basis.

They hope that by offering such a service, many residents will forego their personal or extra vehicles, thereby de-cluttering the dense streets of Israel’s busiest seaside city.

Whilst Tel-o-Fun offers thousands of bicycles at scores of stations, the EV rental program as presently envisioned would be smaller. Rental periods would be limited to roughly half an hour and fines will be issued to those who exceed the limit.

Cars could be collected and returned at different stations.

In Paris, residents pay a yearly membership fee and then an additional fee depending on how long they keep the car. This is very similar to the bike rental system currently in placed, though some critics worry that the expense will deter those who are less affluent.

Opposition council member Sharon Malki expressed concern that investing in an EV rental program would divert funds from the public transportation sector, thereby unfairly disadvantaging regular users.

:: Haaretz

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While many western buyers are crippled by economic hardships, except for the so-called one percent and Justin Bieber, certain residents of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia coasting on oil money can still afford the $136,000 – $163, 320 (AED 500,000 – 600,000) price tag that comes with this ‘eco-friendly sedan.’

Al-Futtaim Trading Enterprises and Fisker Automotive sealed a contract last week that gives Al-Futtaim exclusive rights to import and distribute the Fisker Karma to countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Egypt and the Levant.

The official unveiling ceremony took place at Al Badia Golf Club, Dubai Festival City, where the first showroom will be opened by the end of the year.

“Fisker offers an environmental alternative to traditional luxury vehicles and we are well placed and proud to partner with Fisker and support their vision of delivering uncompromised, responsible luxury to this part of the world,” said Colin Cordery, Managing Director, Trading Enterprises.

“Al-Futtaim has built strength and credibility in delivering great customer experience and this latest partnership with Fisker automobiles further reiterates our position as the region’s number one dealer of the finest automotive brands.”

“Today is a proud moment for the Fisker brand as it is the start of our journey in the Middle East,” said Henrik Fisker, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman at Fisker Automotive.

The Fisker Karma is the world’s first luxury EV, and a half-hearted environmentalist’s dream car since it packs serious power, reaching speeds of  60mph in just 6.3 seconds. Although the company hoped that the United States Environmental Protection Agency would certify the vehicle for 67 mpge and a 50 mile range, it was instead certified for 50 mpge and a 32 mile range.

The Gulf countries won’t mind that. But they might have trouble getting used to the time it takes to charge the vehicle, which some critics claim is uncomfortably long.

All images via Fisker Karma’s photostream, Flickr

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