
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, May 25, 1990                   TAG: 9005250511
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

STUDY ELECTRIC AUTOMOBILES, NOT SMART ROADS

MOST INFORMED observers agree that the two major U.S. economic problems are the continuing deficits and the trade imbalance, both greatly affected by huge oil imports that are more than 50 percent of consumption.

When mass transportation by oil-powered vehicles fouls our environment, contributing to trade imbalance and deficits financed by the Japanese (who buy 50 percent of U.S. bonds), why is Virginia Tech promoting a $175 million-to-$200 million 10-mile Interstate 81 link road with a $95-million SMART test track?

What is needed is not more convenient information on exits or rural-road conditions via SMART technology, but creative solutions for moving people and goods without using fossil fuels. Why is Tech not in the forefront of electric-vehicle research and development, instead of gadgets like SMART technology?

General Electric in Salem has had an electric-vehicle-control business since 1968, with all manner of industrial applications, and is prepared to participate in autos also. Electric vehicles, with a 70-mile range, were available in 1918; one was displayed at the Vinton Dogwood Festival. General Motors is doing serious product development, but the engineering department at Virginia Tech considers model airplanes and SMART technology to be great achievements.

Forget SMART roads. They are a lower priority than alternatives to oil-powered transportation, and are not a very smart investment. Cannot our major university, with a fine engineering school, make a more important contribution than propose a 10-mile road to save 12 minutes travel time to Roanoke?

\ ROY LOCHNER\ ROANOKE

by CNB