Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for operating an urban infrastructure of land ports. This infrastructure includes Truck Terminals that physically provide the land port service; a Central Scheduling Agency that transacts and dispatches pick ups and deliveries; a Land Port Credit Exchange that trades land port delivery credits between heavy duty diesel truck tractor (HDDT) owners; and a Government Fee Collection Agency. Land ports are adapted truck terminals located near transportation arteries at the perimeters of urban areas, that have been suitably configured to exchange trailer loads between HDDTs and zero emission hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (ZEVs). The ZEVs ferry trailer loads between land ports and the inner city, thereby causing a reduction in the vehicle miles traveled by HDDTs within dense urban areas. This reduces the inner city emissions of toxic diesel exhaust, mitigating damage both to the environment and to human health.

Abstract: An explosion resistant battery cell incorporating safety features adapted to counter the effects of the build-up of high internal pressures. The external metallic casing for the cell has a non-cylindrical cross-section which may be square, rectangular or other geometric configuration other than cylindrical to allow bulging of the outer walls which may result from internal pressure build-up. A thermal venting mechanism is provided in the nature of a low melting point metal plug inserted in the end of an associated electrolyte fill tube, the metal plug providing a hermetic seal but having a melting point considerably below the temperature at which explosion of the battery cell might occur depending on the electrolyte being used.