4 ms·
Next up, they will hit up on the idea of dedicated roads for truck convoys; also, a single engine to pull them all; and finally, the creation of roads with stee
by frandroid 9y ago
Next up, they will hit up on the idea of dedicated roads for truck convoys; also, a single engine to pull them all; and finally, the creation of roads with steel rails to put the trucks on.
- prodmerc 9y agoI don't know why you think they want trains, but they're likely to move to self-driving trucks, just like Uber.
- ourmandave 9y agoI would agree, but I think the problem with trains is you have to load and unload the containers onto railcars. I've seen UPS and FedEx semis pulling 3 short trailers on interstates. I assume they're only limited by current regulations on weight and length.
- ams6110 9y agoTriple trailers are only legal in some states and turnpikes.
- kbart 9y agoTrains are very efficient when you need to move huge volumes between industrial centers, ports, metropolises etc. but we still need trucks for the end mile or else good luck laying tracks to every country shop out there.
- jessaustin 9y agoTravel by interstate sometime, and you'll note that "end mile" trucking is a tiny fraction of the total. Of course this is because of the vast subsidies that truck freight enjoys. If we get the self-driving thing figured out, I expect that last-mile freight will use fewer actual trucks than are used today. Rather, the typical robofreighter will be quite small. Every time I receive a truck freight delivery, the trailer is basically empty. They use a big tractor-trailer rig because they have to hire a driver anyway, and sometimes they have enough freight to fill the trailer.