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What do you think the US Interstate Highway system is? It's a replica.
Yup.
Agreed on foreign rail, that is something to be admired vs. what we have. I would certainly not be against high speeds in certain areas (especially straight stretches out west and through the plains).
I think one of the key reasons that mass transit is so successful in European countries, primarily Germany, is due to the high fuel costs in that area. Driving isn't as common or practical there as it is in the United States, where gas is cheap and cars are cheap. Mass transit makes sense financially.
If gasoline prices rose enough here I think that Americans would finally take a harder stance on seriously improving mass transit in this country. Already, in the 2010's we are seeing an increase in mass transit and cycling in urban areas.
Also, to a few posters, when I ask why we don't have an autobahn, I realize we have the interstate system, which truly is a world marvel. It connects the country like nothing else, an envy of the world really. However, I'm more or less getting at the speed thing. Also, from what I have read the condition of the surfaces on the autobahn are FAR greater than the condition of the surfaces on American interstates, which can be pretty rocky in some areas.
I think one of the key reasons that mass transit is so successful in European countries, primarily Germany, is due to the high fuel costs in that area. Driving isn't as common or practical there as it is in the United States, where gas is cheap and cars are cheap. Mass transit makes sense financially.
If gasoline prices rose enough here I think that Americans would finally take a harder stance on seriously improving mass transit in this country. Already, in the 2010's we are seeing an increase in mass transit and cycling in urban areas.
Also, to a few posters, when I ask why we don't have an autobahn, I realize we have the interstate system, which truly is a world marvel. It connects the country like nothing else, an envy of the world really. However, I'm more or less getting at the speed thing. Also, from what I have read the condition of the surfaces on the autobahn are FAR greater than the condition of the surfaces on American interstates, which can be pretty rocky in some areas.
Culturally, Germans follow laws and customs far more than Americans. Americans are more likely to be reckless. It's common knowledge that limit is rarely followed, but it gives law enforcement a solid reason to stop dangerous speeding.
Straight forward question. Do you think having an autobahn in the United States would work or be a good idea?
Our Interstates are just as good as the German Autobahns. In many cases they are better; much of the Autobahn sysytem was bulit in Hitler's time. The Germans just drive faster. In Gemany you get used to being passed poking along at 100 MPH on the Autobahn and can't help thinking that there would be helicopters chasing you, Fox News covering you, and road blocks set up to shoot you full of holes at the first opportunity in the US.
But the German Autobahn generally does have a speed limit.
And there is no part of the Autobahn where you can just drive at any speed. The "no speed limit" parts are only in certain rural stretches, yet they still enforce safe driving VERY much on these parts. If you are driving recklessly, they will pull you over.
All they are saying for the "no speed limit" parts is that there is no SET speed limit, but you are required to drive in a safe manner and with existing traffic. It isn't a license to drive like a madman.
If you are speeding and weaving through traffic, they will not only stop you (they have police helicopters and Porsches) they will take your car on the spot.
Montana and Nevada has reasonable and prudent speed limits until 1974 (100mph+ speeds were common). Montana re-instated it in the 1990s, but the revenue-generators cried about it and a 75mph limit was put in place.
Straight forward question. Do you think having an autobahn in the United States would work or be a good idea?
Great - if you like perpetual construction zones, speed limits, traffic jams, trucks in the left lane, speed traps, ... What did I forget?
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