One of the exciting legacies of the 2010 Winter Olympics is the "Hydrogen Highway". This is a plan to have enough hydrogen fuelling stations in the Vancouver/Whistler area so that hydrogen can be a viable fuel source in the area during the Olympics. This solves one of the main issues with Hydrogen fuelling. Nobody can make any cars until their is a fuelling structure, but nobody can build a structure unless there are vehicles to use it. This Hydrogen Highway should help make the 2010 Olympics a showcase of Hydrogen technology. For more information see NRC page on the Hydrogen Highway

Turin isn't planning on a full fuelling infrastructure. However, they are planning on having as part of the fleet, hydrogen powered scooters. These are little scooters that will be able to go up to 22km/h and can go up to 2 hours before refuelling. So far I haven't seen a picture or a description of these scooters, so I'm not sure exactly what they mean by the term "scooter". With only a 2 hour range these are quite limited on how they could be used. Cool nonetheless though.

So design for the RAV line has got to be kicking into high gear. However, there still hasn't been any public information (that I can find) about what technology they are going to be using.

Most people seem to believe that they are going to be using the Bombardier's linear induction motor technology that was used on Skytrain. However, the reports submitted to the Environmental Assessment Office indicates that the line will not be connected to the existing line. Also they are building a new works and maintenance yard in Richmond. If they were using Skytrain technology they probably would not have built a whole new yard, but would have just expanded the existing one in Burnaby.

According to the North Shore Outlook Translink has announced a pilot project for a passenger only ferry serving Bowen Island to Downtown with a stop in West Vancouver. This was the most recommended option in the Harbour Passenger Marine Study done by Translink in 2004.

I think this is a great idea. Using the high speed ferry technology that is now available is a great way to get people off the roads and into a quick, comfortable mass transit. There are so many commuters that do this commute each day, that there is a reasonable potential.