Use of Plastic in Transportation
Plastic is a popular choice when making modes of transportation because it is tough, resistant to corrosion, durable, lightweight, and easy to color. For these reasons, plastic is found in the fenders, bumpers, trunk lids, housings for headlights and sideveiw mirrors, grilles, hoods, doors, and wheel covers.
Through the use of plastic, the average passenger car has lost 145 pounds since 1988. The lighter weight translates to better fuel efficiency and has saved approximately 21 million barrels of oil.
Trains and busses also take advantage of plastic. Modern designs use plastic in the window and door frames and in the seating. Subway cars use plastic for the seats, the seat covers, in making the carpeting, in creating the handles, in the interior panels, and even in the polycarbonate windows.
Of course, other means of transportation, such as bicycles, roller skates, kayaks, canoes, skateboards, snowboards, surfboards, motorcycles, and even some athletic shoes take full advantage of plastic in their creation.
