# Solar Travel Pods The Spartan Superways' Futuristic Transportation Units Free Up Road Space By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2015-04-21 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/futuristic-transportation References: [blogs.sjsu.edu](http://blogs.sjsu.edu/today/2015/spartan-superway-may-be-the-ride-of-the-future/) & [engr.sjsu.edu](http://www.engr.sjsu.edu/smssv/) From the perspective of a group of students at San Jose State University, a [futuristic transportation system](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vertically-integrated-smart-transit-system) is 100% solar-powered and able to feed surplus energy back to the electric grid. This system envisioned by the student group has been dubbed the Spartan Superway and takes the form of a [gondola-style pod](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hyve-home-delivery-pod) with [solar panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solarpowered-race-vehicle) that moves under a suspended 33' steel track. This unit would be able to enter a transit station for passenger pick-up and drop-off. One of the main goals of the project is to make the streets people-friendly again by elevating transportation units. A working full-scale replica of the eco-friendly and efficient Spartan Superway will be on display at this year's Maker Faire in San Mateo. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.0/10 - Popularity: 38% | Activity: 43% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Solar-powered Transportation:** Opportunities for creating more sustainable and eco-friendly transportation options using solar power. - **Elevated Transportation:** Opportunities for alleviating traffic congestion and creating people-friendly streets by elevating transportation units. - **Smart Mobility Solutions:** Opportunities for developing more efficient, technologically advanced transportation systems. ### Where This Applies - **Renewable Energy:** Innovations in renewable energy could contribute to the development of more sustainable and eco-friendly transportation options. - **Transportation:** The transportation industry could leverage solar-powered, elevated, and technologically advanced transportation solutions to address traffic congestion and mobility issues. - **Smart Cities:** Cities and municipalities could leverage smart mobility solutions to create more efficient transportation systems and improve quality of life for citizens. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Space-Saving Urban Mobility Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/project-doro.md) - [Socialization-Encouraging Travel Pods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/agorae-mobility-concept.md) - [Solar-Powered Autonomous Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/polestar-cladrus.md) - [Solar-Powered Sleek Bikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-solaris.md) - [Lifestyle-Conscious Transportation Pods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kia-pod-concept.md) - [Reconfigurable Travel Pod Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pix-robobus.md) - [Solar-Powered City Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/city-cars.md) - [Magnetic Wall-Scaling Electric Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/trois-mobility-concept.md) - [Solar-Powered Cargo Vans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solar-electric-van.md)