Worldwide fatalities from vehicles exceed 500, 000 annually and related serious injuries are an order of magnitude greater. This large-scale cost to society has been receiving less attention lately as the focus has shifted to alternative fuel vehicles that can reduce air pollution. A novel vehicle design is proposed that addresses boththe major concerns for safety and for the environment. The design increases the weight and strength of a vehicle's frame while using the frame to serve as a storage tank for compressed natural gas. In addition to the environmental benefits of this fuel, the added weight from the 'fortress frame' surrounding the passengers would reduce deaths and injuries from high-speed crashes. Finally, the product liability problems of an unconventional vehicle design are analysed. (A)
Abstract