A modern airship can be electrically driven and derive its power from solar tarps on the outside of the superstructure, thus making it completely nonpolluting and eliminating the need for external fueling. They are capable of cruising speeds comparable to the Japanese “bullet trains”, without requiring the extensive infrastructure investment that trains do. It requires less infrastructure than any other transit method, just a terminal at each end, which can be placed atop any existing building more than six stories tall.
Our initial proposal is for both local and regional transport, with regional service to Olympia, Seattle, Eugene/Springfield, Bend, Klamath Falls, and San Francisco. The local service would have terminals in downtown Portland, Troutdale, Canby, Hillsboro, Vancouver WA, Estacada, and Sherwood, enabling exurban commuters from any direction to reach downtown more quickly than a current automotive commute and without the need to find a place to park their car when they arrive.
In addition to the transportation benefits, this project would create a local airship industry, supplying and maintaining airship transportation networks worldwide.