3 ms·

I’m imagining these vehicles on a sort of track, this way if the automation fails, it can still be guided. Also, the track could even potentially deliver power.

I’m imagining these vehicles on a sort of track, this way if the automation fails, it can still be guided. Also, the track could even potentially deliver power. The vehicle can be any number of connected pods.

boredpudding 8mo ago
Maybe even have multiple people in each pod, and on the set track, have common stops where people are likely to get on/off.
lysace 8mo ago
Because trains are famously awesome for the last mile(s)?
- IsTom 8mo ago
  Trams are pretty ok
  - volemo 8mo ago
    Tube/metro too.
    - lysace 8mo ago
      In high to very high density living contexts, when done right, yes.
- chpatrick 8mo ago
  I think the idea is that they could go full speed in sync, then afterwards they could still take you to your doorstep.
  - circuit10 8mo ago
    The commenter was being sarcastic about trains I think, but while we should be using public transport where possible there is sometimes a need for door-to-door transport so I don't see why we can't explore new ideas that may combine some of the advantages of both for certain use cases
- nilamo 8mo ago
  It's a tongue-in-cheek description of how buses and trams work. ie: It's not a new idea, we just tacked "driverless" onto it.
05 8mo ago
If automation fails on a track, there are many people dead and toxic chemicals spilled everywhere - just look at US freight accidents. With orders of magnitude more mass, 3x less friction than tire/asphalt and no way to steer, many avoidable accidents are now also fatal. Now you need grade separation so this whole thing isn't compatible with pedestrians and bikes. But sure, keep posting this tired joke.
dyauspitr 8mo ago
Then have the track go to each persons doorstep. Also make sure the pod shows up within 5 minutes at your doorstep when you hail it from your phone. Each pod should be private and airconditioned. Each pod should also lay its own track when driving to remote locations.
seanhunter 8mo ago
I don't understand the sarcasm. Driverless trains for mass transit are in operation in lots of places around the world and have been for some time (eg the Docklands light railway in London) https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/dlr/ https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/dlr/ Driverless personal transportation is the unsolved problem.
- badc0ffee 8mo ago
  Weirdly, DLR trains still have an attendant onboard. A better example of a fully centrally operated train would be something like the SkyTrain lines in Vancouver.
  - seanhunter 8mo ago
    The attendant is a legacy of a union settlement as I understand it. It's not actually required for the ooperation of the system.
    - mikepurvis 8mo ago
      The book The Box discusses similar compromises that were made with the longshoremen unions during the transition from conventional hull-packing to containers. There's a certain fairness to it at least for a time, but the technology existing to make the role truly unnecessary does prime things for the next round of discussions when it can be fully eliminated or moved to an off-board overseer remotely monitoring multiple trains at once.
  - tim333 8mo ago
    Not all DLR trains. They do things like keep an eye on people and check tickets - there aren't any ticket barriers.
- estimator7292 8mo ago
  The point is that we don't have mass transit in most places in the US. Trains and light rail are indisputably better for everyone but we're betting the entire country on yet more cars.
rayiner 8mo ago
Anything that isn’t point to point transit, or requires interacting with the public, is a non-starter for most people in the developed world. Even in Japan, half of commutes are by car and that number has been growing.
- CyberDildonics 8mo ago
  Not sure where you are getting this information. Where there are trains, people take the trains far more. In Tokyo, the vast majority of passengers rely on the extensive and efficient train system, which is often considered the best in the world. Cars are less commonly used due to high parking costs, traffic congestion, and the convenience of public transportation options like trains and subways. Transportation Options in Tokyo Train Passengers Rail Network: Tokyo has the most extensive urban railway network in the world, with 40 million passengers daily. Frequency: Trains run every two to three minutes during rush hours, ensuring minimal wait times. Accessibility: Major stations are equipped with elevators and clear signage in multiple languages, making it easy for tourists to navigate. Car Usage Driving Conditions: Driving in Tokyo can be challenging due to narrow roads, heavy traffic, and limited parking availability. Parking Costs: Finding parking can be difficult and expensive, with many areas lacking sufficient parking lots. Rental Considerations: Renting a car may incur additional costs such as tolls and drop-off fees, especially if returning the car to a different location.* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_in_Greater_Tokyo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_in_Greater_Tokyo
FuriouslyAdrift 8mo ago
You just re-invented trollies
MisterTea 8mo ago
Power could be delivered by overhead catenary wire. Battery and/or ultra caps could handle if it has to go off wire.
tim333 8mo ago
They actually invented something like that called a train around 1804 and very soon when they've developed it a bit more it will solve all our traffic problems.
mlsu 8mo ago
I agree. The only wrinkle is that it's impractical to build a train line from my house to the train station.

boredpudding 8mo ago

Maybe even have multiple people in each pod, and on the set track, have common stops where people are likely to get on/off.

lysace 8mo ago

Because trains are famously awesome for the last mile(s)?

IsTom 8mo ago
Trams are pretty ok
- volemo 8mo ago
  Tube/metro too.
  - lysace 8mo ago
    In high to very high density living contexts, when done right, yes.
chpatrick 8mo ago
I think the idea is that they could go full speed in sync, then afterwards they could still take you to your doorstep.
- circuit10 8mo ago
  The commenter was being sarcastic about trains I think, but while we should be using public transport where possible there is sometimes a need for door-to-door transport so I don't see why we can't explore new ideas that may combine some of the advantages of both for certain use cases
nilamo 8mo ago
It's a tongue-in-cheek description of how buses and trams work. ie: It's not a new idea, we just tacked "driverless" onto it.

05 8mo ago

If automation fails on a track, there are many people dead and toxic chemicals spilled everywhere - just look at US freight accidents. With orders of magnitude more mass, 3x less friction than tire/asphalt and no way to steer, many avoidable accidents are now also fatal. Now you need grade separation so this whole thing isn't compatible with pedestrians and bikes. But sure, keep posting this tired joke.

dyauspitr 8mo ago

Then have the track go to each persons doorstep. Also make sure the pod shows up within 5 minutes at your doorstep when you hail it from your phone. Each pod should be private and airconditioned. Each pod should also lay its own track when driving to remote locations.

seanhunter 8mo ago

I don't understand the sarcasm. Driverless trains for mass transit are in operation in lots of places around the world and have been for some time (eg the Docklands light railway in London) https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/dlr/ https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/dlr/ Driverless personal transportation is the unsolved problem.

badc0ffee 8mo ago
Weirdly, DLR trains still have an attendant onboard. A better example of a fully centrally operated train would be something like the SkyTrain lines in Vancouver.
- seanhunter 8mo ago
  The attendant is a legacy of a union settlement as I understand it. It's not actually required for the ooperation of the system.
  - mikepurvis 8mo ago
    The book The Box discusses similar compromises that were made with the longshoremen unions during the transition from conventional hull-packing to containers. There's a certain fairness to it at least for a time, but the technology existing to make the role truly unnecessary does prime things for the next round of discussions when it can be fully eliminated or moved to an off-board overseer remotely monitoring multiple trains at once.
- tim333 8mo ago
  Not all DLR trains. They do things like keep an eye on people and check tickets - there aren't any ticket barriers.
estimator7292 8mo ago
The point is that we don't have mass transit in most places in the US. Trains and light rail are indisputably better for everyone but we're betting the entire country on yet more cars.

rayiner 8mo ago

Anything that isn’t point to point transit, or requires interacting with the public, is a non-starter for most people in the developed world. Even in Japan, half of commutes are by car and that number has been growing.

CyberDildonics 8mo ago
Not sure where you are getting this information. Where there are trains, people take the trains far more. In Tokyo, the vast majority of passengers rely on the extensive and efficient train system, which is often considered the best in the world. Cars are less commonly used due to high parking costs, traffic congestion, and the convenience of public transportation options like trains and subways. Transportation Options in Tokyo Train Passengers Rail Network: Tokyo has the most extensive urban railway network in the world, with 40 million passengers daily. Frequency: Trains run every two to three minutes during rush hours, ensuring minimal wait times. Accessibility: Major stations are equipped with elevators and clear signage in multiple languages, making it easy for tourists to navigate. Car Usage Driving Conditions: Driving in Tokyo can be challenging due to narrow roads, heavy traffic, and limited parking availability. Parking Costs: Finding parking can be difficult and expensive, with many areas lacking sufficient parking lots. Rental Considerations: Renting a car may incur additional costs such as tolls and drop-off fees, especially if returning the car to a different location.* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_in_Greater_Tokyo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_in_Greater_Tokyo

FuriouslyAdrift 8mo ago

You just re-invented trollies

MisterTea 8mo ago

Power could be delivered by overhead catenary wire. Battery and/or ultra caps could handle if it has to go off wire.

tim333 8mo ago

They actually invented something like that called a train around 1804 and very soon when they've developed it a bit more it will solve all our traffic problems.

mlsu 8mo ago

I agree. The only wrinkle is that it's impractical to build a train line from my house to the train station.