By Chris Gearhart, Jeff Gonder, and Tony Markel Connectivity and Convergence Transportation for the 21st century. rivers across the nation are powering up at electric charging stations, and gasfueled cars are getting an average of 16% more miles to the gallon than they did just five years ago. however, as the world's population continues to grow, transportation demands D and petroleum consumption steadily increase. a 21st-century transportation system not only needs vehicle technology capable of meeting fuel economy goals of 54.5 mi/gal, a truly sustainable transportation future will rely on the widespread adoption of multiple solutions, including alternative fuels, electric-drive vehicles, a Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/MELE.2014.2314498 Date of publication: 24 June 2014 6 I E E E E l e c t r i f i cati o n M agaz ine / j un e 2014 U.S. Government work not protected by U.S. Copyright.