4 ms·

Serious question: Why can't we, at least on freeways, build (either virtual/software based or physical/metal) rails into the road, and "self drive" them autopia

Serious question: Why can't we, at least on freeways, build (either virtual/software based or physical/metal) rails into the road, and "self drive" them autopia-style? It would allow us to retrofit all vehicles, regardless of year made, would allow fully autonomous driving on freeways, and would also solve the last mile problem of public transportation by allow cars to simply drive that last mile as normal. Is the infrastructure investment too high? Does this not scale?

rbranson 8y ago
That doesn’t solve the traffic problem, which is what the company is addressing.
- everdev 8y ago
  It might help traffic because cars could move in tandem and follow closer behind. I think exiting the highway and going from "rail mode" to "driving mode" would be the trickiest part. I'd imagine you'd need some manual signal from the driver to the rail system to confirm that the driver is sort and ready to take back over.
MisterTea 8y ago
I think the big problem would be how do you change lanes?
- themmes 8y ago
  Actually, that is not the problem and they are testing this in Stockholm, Sweden[1]. [1] https://www.dezeen.com/2018/04/23/electric-car-charging-road-opens-stockholm-sweden/ https://www.dezeen.com/2018/04/23/electric-car-charging-road...
  - ksk 8y ago
    Could you elaborate? I read the linked article, and it didn't explain anything to me. How does it work when you change lanes at 60-70mph?
ksk 8y ago
Why not just use trains?
- RandallBrown 8y ago
  If someone else on my train is going somewhere different than I am, I'll have to wait. Because trains don't go up my driveway. I can imagine a system where I drive to a highway, let autopilot engage or I drive on to a "track" of some sort and then at my exit, I disengage from the track and continue on my way.
  - ksk 8y ago
    We all know trains don't go up driveways. I fail to see the relevance in bringing it up. You might have missed reading what I was replying to, so here it is again: >Why can't we, at least on freeways, build (either virtual/software based or physical/metal) rails into the road,
    - misterbwong 8y ago
      RE: why not use trains. I probably wasn't clear in my original comment. The last mile problem refers specifically to one of the main cited inconveniences of public transit systems. You can't pull a train or a bus up to your driveway because it is fundamentally a shared system. In this scenario, allowing cars to drive off of the freeway (the last mile) would get around this issue.

rbranson 8y ago

That doesn’t solve the traffic problem, which is what the company is addressing.

everdev 8y ago
It might help traffic because cars could move in tandem and follow closer behind. I think exiting the highway and going from "rail mode" to "driving mode" would be the trickiest part. I'd imagine you'd need some manual signal from the driver to the rail system to confirm that the driver is sort and ready to take back over.

MisterTea 8y ago

I think the big problem would be how do you change lanes?

themmes 8y ago
Actually, that is not the problem and they are testing this in Stockholm, Sweden[1]. [1] https://www.dezeen.com/2018/04/23/electric-car-charging-road-opens-stockholm-sweden/ https://www.dezeen.com/2018/04/23/electric-car-charging-road...
- ksk 8y ago
  Could you elaborate? I read the linked article, and it didn't explain anything to me. How does it work when you change lanes at 60-70mph?

ksk 8y ago

Why not just use trains?

RandallBrown 8y ago
If someone else on my train is going somewhere different than I am, I'll have to wait. Because trains don't go up my driveway. I can imagine a system where I drive to a highway, let autopilot engage or I drive on to a "track" of some sort and then at my exit, I disengage from the track and continue on my way.
- ksk 8y ago
  We all know trains don't go up driveways. I fail to see the relevance in bringing it up. You might have missed reading what I was replying to, so here it is again: >Why can't we, at least on freeways, build (either virtual/software based or physical/metal) rails into the road,
  - misterbwong 8y ago
    RE: why not use trains. I probably wasn't clear in my original comment. The last mile problem refers specifically to one of the main cited inconveniences of public transit systems. You can't pull a train or a bus up to your driveway because it is fundamentally a shared system. In this scenario, allowing cars to drive off of the freeway (the last mile) would get around this issue.