3 ms·

So build an entire second interstate system? That’s not really realistic, which tends to be the problem with most ideas to move away from cars.

picture 4y ago
They're alluding to trains.
- seer-zig 4y ago
  What about the last mile issue? Like getting products to grocery stores and outlets?
  - occz 4y ago
    Last mile distribution does not require extremely large trucks to be feasible.
    - dnadler 4y ago
      I'd think that that depends on the density of the rail network and sparsity of the destinations.
unglaublich 4y ago
That’s extremely realistic. The Netherlands has a separate system for bikes. The truck system would just be what the motorized traffic system is now, be it a bit scaled down.
- galangalalgol 4y ago
  Even in the Netherlands cars are not dead. A few years back (pre pandemic, maybe wfh will last, maybe it won't), I was staying with a friend. They all had cars, but one had just sold their car and committed to public transportation and bicycle. Even there he was really regretting his choice. In the US it isn't even a question. The vast majority of people need a car. We can make a goal of changing that, but it will be a while. So for now, what is the least bad car?
- dnadler 4y ago
  I think you and I have different concepts of realistic, ha. How do you propose people travel from rural place A to rural place B? Public transportation? That would be extremely expensive to implement, and would operate at a massive loss to service the entire US. The interstate system and truck delivery seems to be pretty fantastic at servicing the continental US when paired with freight trains, cargo planes, etc. And it is similarly effective for delivery of all other kinds of things including people. These systems would be good to implement in many cities, but interstate shipping and travel is another thing altogether.

3 ms·

So build an entire second interstate system? That’s not really realistic, which tends to be the problem with most ideas to move away from cars.

by dnadler 4y ago

picture 4y ago
They're alluding to trains.
- seer-zig 4y ago
  What about the last mile issue? Like getting products to grocery stores and outlets?
  - occz 4y ago
    Last mile distribution does not require extremely large trucks to be feasible.
    - dnadler 4y ago
      I'd think that that depends on the density of the rail network and sparsity of the destinations.
unglaublich 4y ago
That’s extremely realistic. The Netherlands has a separate system for bikes. The truck system would just be what the motorized traffic system is now, be it a bit scaled down.
- galangalalgol 4y ago
  Even in the Netherlands cars are not dead. A few years back (pre pandemic, maybe wfh will last, maybe it won't), I was staying with a friend. They all had cars, but one had just sold their car and committed to public transportation and bicycle. Even there he was really regretting his choice. In the US it isn't even a question. The vast majority of people need a car. We can make a goal of changing that, but it will be a while. So for now, what is the least bad car?
- dnadler 4y ago
  I think you and I have different concepts of realistic, ha. How do you propose people travel from rural place A to rural place B? Public transportation? That would be extremely expensive to implement, and would operate at a massive loss to service the entire US. The interstate system and truck delivery seems to be pretty fantastic at servicing the continental US when paired with freight trains, cargo planes, etc. And it is similarly effective for delivery of all other kinds of things including people. These systems would be good to implement in many cities, but interstate shipping and travel is another thing altogether.