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>...but it won't be with the current infrastructure... slowly phase out driver-only cars with self-driving cars/lanes. Upvoted! I've posted it before and I'll

>...but it won't be with the current infrastructure... slowly phase out driver-only cars with self-driving cars/lanes. Upvoted! I've posted it before and I'll post it again: what advantages does driverless car-based transportation infrastructure offer over a rail system of the same scale? I am genuinely interested to hear counter arguments since, to my mind, well planned/maintained rail systems can better leverage centrally generated power, have better driver (conductor) : passenger ratios, are easier to maintain in aggregate (ie. tracks vs. roads, total number of train cars < total number of motor vehicles, etc.), and so forth. What am I missing?

lagadu 9y ago
Infrastructure. You can reach a lot further using roads than you can using tracks. A system that would replace roads with tracks would be completely impractical and we'd end up with the same as the road system with all its problems.
zolthrowaway 9y ago
The last mile problem [0]. A rail system could work for a very densely populated area, but there is way too much sprawl. It's part of the reason why cars are basically seen as a necessity in the US. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_mile_(transportation) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_mile_(transportation)
- AstralStorm 9y ago
  Come on. Make those trolleybusses (which share most advantages of rail if they get dedicated driving space) and infrastructure problem almost disappears if they have proper batteries to drive like buses through less dense areas. The problem is not last mile. It idea that last 30 miles are not viable to run extended routes through as it gets too slow to follow the winding paths as plain buses. The solution is actually pedestrian traffic and biking optimization for last few miles access, not tossing more cars at the problem. Not building areas in cities with crummy access to public transport. Making it less necessary to carry heavy loads personally relying on improved delivery systems instead. (Which should also create some jobs.)

lagadu 9y ago

Infrastructure. You can reach a lot further using roads than you can using tracks. A system that would replace roads with tracks would be completely impractical and we'd end up with the same as the road system with all its problems.

zolthrowaway 9y ago

The last mile problem [0]. A rail system could work for a very densely populated area, but there is way too much sprawl. It's part of the reason why cars are basically seen as a necessity in the US. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_mile_(transportation) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_mile_(transportation)

AstralStorm 9y ago
Come on. Make those trolleybusses (which share most advantages of rail if they get dedicated driving space) and infrastructure problem almost disappears if they have proper batteries to drive like buses through less dense areas. The problem is not last mile. It idea that last 30 miles are not viable to run extended routes through as it gets too slow to follow the winding paths as plain buses. The solution is actually pedestrian traffic and biking optimization for last few miles access, not tossing more cars at the problem. Not building areas in cities with crummy access to public transport. Making it less necessary to carry heavy loads personally relying on improved delivery systems instead. (Which should also create some jobs.)