Why do we spend billions on 200 year old technology (politicians, economic, versus)
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Rail technology is more than 200 years old and still has lots of value, but mostly just for freight. But politicians still love to pump billions into passenger rail rather than look toward newer technology. Rail is very costly, if not impossible, to change or move. Rail only goes where there are (almost) permanent rail lines, not where people choose to go. On the other hand, busses can go anywhere. Bus routes can change overnight to meet the changing needs of the people. And now that driverless vehicles are right around the corner, bus transportation will become much cheaper, safer and able to meet the needs of the people.
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“It’s like they’re designing the pony express in the world of the telegraph,” Florida State Senator Jeff Brandes (R-Dist. 22) told Fortune, explaining his opposition to a plan to build a light rail system in Pinellas County. "I absolutely believe that technology is going to transform mass transit in a way that very few people can see...It'll definitely be within 15 or 20 years, which is right when the light rail system…would be coming online."
Mass transit allows the poor to migrate to potential work opportunities. Since the ranks of poor are only going to grow in America, we better figure out a system that will serve them better. Somehow, I don't see poor people purchasing driverless cars in the next 20 years...
People think their options are limited now, can you imagine a future in which you have to speak clearly into a microphone or ensure that the digitizer glass of a display picks up your finger movement to issue a series of commands to a computer server in order to exit the freeway in time to go to the Cracker Barrel on the sign you just passed? And do you think the servers would necessarily let you if the commands were issued within a range of predetermined time.
Or to have to program a display in order to select the parking spot you want at Bed Bath & Beyond, or to move the car in the yard when the spouse asks?
Also, does anyone think that NHTSA would allow a self driving car to release control of the door latch until an automated drive system allows the vehicle to come to a complete (and "safe") stop?
200 years ago they were lucky to get trains up to 30 mph. It wasn't until 1964 that Japan got speeds up to 120 on the Tokaido Shinkansen. In the US, neither the public nor private sector showed interest in catching up.
200 years ago they were lucky to get trains up to 30 mph. It wasn't until 1964 that Japan got speeds up to 120 on the Tokaido Shinkansen. In the US, neither the public nor private sector showed interest in catching up.
What is the population density per square mile of Japan versus the USA?
200 years ago they were lucky to get trains up to 30 mph. It wasn't until 1964 that Japan got speeds up to 120 on the Tokaido Shinkansen. In the US, neither the public nor private sector showed interest in catching up.
What are you talking about... We had an Amtrak train hit 106 MPH most recently...
Instead of spending money on new, our nation needs to seriously consider fixing/upgrading what it already has. In many cases, we need to consolidate, and others, we could see economic benefits by expanding.
That's hard work that requires due diligence, which is why it's neglected.
Mass transit allows the poor to migrate to potential work opportunities. Since the ranks of poor are only going to grow in America, we better figure out a system that will serve them better. Somehow, I don't see poor people purchasing driverless cars in the next 20 years...
Mass transit does not mean rail. And poor people don't have to purchase anything. Driverless busses will be here in a few years.
People think their options are limited now, can you imagine a future in which you have to speak clearly into a microphone or ensure that the digitizer glass of a display picks up your finger movement to issue a series of commands to a computer server in order to exit the freeway in time to go to the Cracker Barrel on the sign you just passed? And do you think the servers would necessarily let you if the commands were issued within a range of predetermined time.
Or to have to program a display in order to select the parking spot you want at Bed Bath & Beyond, or to move the car in the yard when the spouse asks?
Also, does anyone think that NHTSA would allow a self driving car to release control of the door latch until an automated drive system allows the vehicle to come to a complete (and "safe") stop?
Voice recognition is a very mature technology now. And maybe you don't tell the car where to exit. You tell the car where to go just like you do today with GPS navigation.
What is the population density per square mile of Japan versus the USA?
That's why busses are so much better than rail. Busses can go where the people need to go and routes can be changed overnight.
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