The problem is that you're leaving cars in where they suck the most... and, admittedly, are the most useful. By leaving people driving for the beginning and end of the trip, you still have horrible traffic in cities, not to mention parking... and gas mileage would plummet. Granted, the train would still be more energy-efficient, assuming it had a reasonable number of passengers, but like purple_dj said, it would cost a lot to lay the tracks for something like that. The problem is more of a cultural one, I think. Americans like to drive cars. Whether it's the feeling of freedom or the feeling of control, the rush of adrenaline or that they find it relaxing, a lot of people would be reluctant to give up their cars. Which is kind of what's behind your idea, it seems, but in my opinion, eliminating them altogether (or, more realistically, reducing them dramatically) is where we should be going. But people hate to wait... last week, I was riding in a car back from lunch at work, and because there was a long line of traffic at a light, the driver went on a bunch of back roads he knew... and I swear, it took us an extra 10 minutes to get back. People do that sort of thing all the time... which is why I'm a little skeptical of astralquest's idea to reason with the public. I mean, really, when has that ever worked?
Hm. I seem to be saying a lot about what won't work, but I haven't come up with anything that would be better. Um... pneumatic tubes?
The problem is more of a cultural one, I think. Americans like to drive cars. Whether it's the feeling of freedom or the feeling of control, the rush of adrenaline or that they find it relaxing, a lot of people would be reluctant to give up their cars. Which is kind of what's behind your idea, it seems, but in my opinion, eliminating them altogether (or, more realistically, reducing them dramatically) is where we should be going. But people hate to wait... last week, I was riding in a car back from lunch at work, and because there was a long line of traffic at a light, the driver went on a bunch of back roads he knew... and I swear, it took us an extra 10 minutes to get back. People do that sort of thing all the time... which is why I'm a little skeptical of astralquest's idea to reason with the public. I mean, really, when has that ever worked?
Hm. I seem to be saying a lot about what won't work, but I haven't come up with anything that would be better. Um... pneumatic tubes?
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