5 ms·
And air travel is less efficient, noisier, and dependent on fossil fuels than gliding over a maglev track.
by oconnore 15y ago
And air travel is less efficient, noisier, and dependent on fossil fuels than gliding over a maglev track.
- cshesse 15y agoAs far as I know, the High Speed Rail system is not maglev and modern trains have roughly them same energy efficiency as modern planes.
- nkurz 15y agoThat's interesting. I'd instinctively presumed that HSR would be much more energy efficient than flying, but the quick research I did indicates you are right. Electric HSR probably has the edge if you are willing to assume hydroelectric generation, but it mostly comes down to projected ridership. A full plane beats and empty train, and vice versa.