Industry experts thing gasoline prices will recede — eventually; a train that never stops, not even for passengers; and a vending machine for common bike parts.

Gas Pains: Falling U.S. Demand Doesn’t Make a Difference: American drivers have been slowly easing back on the gas — or leaving their cars in the driveway. but in terms of the current run of high fuel prices, these actions shouldn’t have as much lasting effect as the marketplace. Gasoline stocks are building up, and no analysts expect any shortages through the summer. That should have the effect of driving prices down. Eventually. (WSJ.com)

Futuristic Train Lets Passengers In, Out While in Motion: So when does a train use most of its energy? Starting and stopping. What if you could keep a train in motion — and still pick up and drop off passengers, cargo, and fuel? Sounds crazy, but a Japanese team is proposing a system to do just that. It’s still in the concept stage. But if the idea works, it will save train companies a lot of fuel, and passengers a lot of time on the morning commute. Hit the link for video. (Good Clean Tech)

2010 Winter Olympics Village in Vancouver Going Green: With the Beijing summer games just around the corner, it’s already time to look ahead to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, BC. Event planners say the olympic quarters and venues will be the greenest yet. All buildings will meet LEED construction standards, sport solar panels, and have energy-saving greenroofs. Rainwater harvesting will take care of green spaces, and an in-slab hydronic heating and cooling system should keep things comfortable year-round. (Inhabitat)

U.S. Faces Era Of Water Scarcity: Profligate Use Hurts In Unexpected Places; Quest For New Supplies Nationwide: Atlanta nearly ran out of water last summer. The America Southwest is suffering record droughts. It’s not just climate — it’s bad planning and non-sustainable lifestyles which threaten to plunge the United States into a water crisis within the decade. Possible recovery strategies: desalinization projects, radical economy — and relocating populations to areas with more available water. (CSR Wire)

Trek Stop: The vending machine for bike parts: With more people swapping cars for bicycles these days, here’s an idea which may be ready for prime time: bike part vending machines. Trek has begun experimenting with what amounts to mini automated bike shops. The Trek Shops stock common items — such as patch kits, tubes, energy bars, and water bottles — and serve them up vending machine style. The kiosks will be placed near high-density bicycle routes. The first unit is already in operation not far from Trek headquarters in Waterloo, Wisconsin. (Autoblog Green)

Stories You Might Also Like: