Abstract
Abstract
Like its overpop lated counterparts across the world, Tehran, the capital of Iran, has been experiencing alarming rates of car-related fatalities and air pollution. Unless urgent meas res were taken to control the situation, a social, economical and environmental disaster would soon be inevitable. Under a government initiative in the late 1990s to legislate and enforce stricter safety and environment regulations, all Iranian car manufacturers were mandated to move, according to a phased plan, toward cleaner and safer products.
This paper explores some of the challenges inherent to such an ambitious plan. It also hints at some of the prereuisites that must be fulfilled if sustainable solutions are sought. Iran's experience may serve as a paradigm for other developing countries facing similar problems.
The paper also briefly reports on the endeavors made by Iran Khodro, Iran's leading a tomaker, to achieve the targets of the plan. The active areas of research at the company's R&D center, including alternative fuels, bi-fuel engines and hybrid vehicles, as well as the application of some advanced technologies to enhance vehicle safety and performance are introduced.