4 ms·
You have to take into account more than just the pure physical efficiency of rolling cars vs. flying. There is the practical efficiency too. When I drive my c
by adwf 10y ago
You have to take into account more than just the pure physical efficiency of rolling cars vs. flying. There is the practical efficiency too.
When I drive my car to work, I have to take a big dogleg out to the motorway, sit in traffic for 5 minutes to join, then drive down the motorway which is winding between the towns but mostly going the right direction, then take another big dogleg off + traffic, and finally I'm at my destination. I wouldn't be surprised if I'd driven the equivalent of 2-3 times the straight line distance.
Normal efficiency calcs focus on the gallons part, a flying car would reduce the miles.
- daveguy 10y agoThat's a good point. Although the VTOL aspect is still very energy consumptive.
- kuschku 10y agoOr one could increase the density of where you live, and build a transit network. The metro also usually goes in straight lines.
- adwf 10y agoYes, but much like a motorway, it's someone else's straight line, not mine. I still have to get to a station and then get to my destination afterwards, which could involve a lot of walking. Not to mention that not everybody wants to live in high density housing, it has a whole set of unwelcome problems of its own. Personally speaking I love dense living and walking everywhere, but it's not for everyone.