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Self driving electric cars mean that tunnels are more cost effective (no fumes, closer tolerances in tunnel sizing, greater capacity), so we can go 3D (no need

Self driving electric cars mean that tunnels are more cost effective (no fumes, closer tolerances in tunnel sizing, greater capacity), so we can go 3D (no need for stop lights, we just have cloverleaf interchanges underground with sloped ramps so that passengers feel no lateral acceleration which means higher speeds are ok). Now the surface can be for pedestrians (like Venice) and of course no need for parking lots at all. This means greater density is possible increasing the value of central real estate. But also means that further commutes are much faster, increasing the value of outlying real estate? Or does it, what does this suggest for real estate investing?

irixusr 11y ago
I agree that a narrower tunnel costs less (displaced rock is quadratic with tunnel diameter), but is it cheap enough to offset capital costs for all but a few extra worthy projects? I'd love to have underground streets.... But $$$....
- deleted 11y ago
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- paulsutter 11y ago
  Look at the rate of subway construction in China[1]. Self driving cars + tunnel means the subway comes to you, the riders don't need to go to the station. In the US tunnels seem like a rare and expensive thing, but they're very commonplace. [1] http://www.businessinsider.com/why-china-is-tunneling-a-mind-boggling-800-miles-in-2-years-2013-3 http://www.businessinsider.com/why-china-is-tunneling-a-mind... The difficulty of public works projects in the US is a legitimate question. But it's a separate question from what self driving cars will make possible (especially for the 90%+ of people who live outside the US).
OliverJones 11y ago
We did tunnels like you mention in Boston 15 years ago. The results have been great, but the costs, schedule, and construction hassles were a massive challenge to public consensus.
- Retric 11y ago
  Tunnels unlike most structures can last for very long timeframes so city's that devote a small fixed portion of there budget could slowly build extensive underground networks on the 100-200+ year timeframe.

irixusr 11y ago

I agree that a narrower tunnel costs less (displaced rock is quadratic with tunnel diameter), but is it cheap enough to offset capital costs for all but a few extra worthy projects? I'd love to have underground streets.... But $$$....

deleted 11y ago
[deleted]
paulsutter 11y ago
Look at the rate of subway construction in China[1]. Self driving cars + tunnel means the subway comes to you, the riders don't need to go to the station. In the US tunnels seem like a rare and expensive thing, but they're very commonplace. [1] http://www.businessinsider.com/why-china-is-tunneling-a-mind-boggling-800-miles-in-2-years-2013-3 http://www.businessinsider.com/why-china-is-tunneling-a-mind... The difficulty of public works projects in the US is a legitimate question. But it's a separate question from what self driving cars will make possible (especially for the 90%+ of people who live outside the US).

OliverJones 11y ago

We did tunnels like you mention in Boston 15 years ago. The results have been great, but the costs, schedule, and construction hassles were a massive challenge to public consensus.

Retric 11y ago
Tunnels unlike most structures can last for very long timeframes so city's that devote a small fixed portion of there budget could slowly build extensive underground networks on the 100-200+ year timeframe.