| One of the problems with our Mass Transit System | | | | is about 1000 miles (try that in a truck at 55 mph?), |
| in the United States is its inability to interconnect with | | | | similar to the width of Texas. Driving across TX can |
| other regional and metro systems. A more cohesive | | | | be a living hell and cause you to want to kiss the |
| plan is needed and Amtrak isn't the answer. We need | | | | ground at the first off ramps in Louisiana or Las |
| more rider-ship, lower costs and greater economies | | | | Cruses, New Mexico. Travelers have often made |
| of scale, which must be based on reality, not pet | | | | these "living hell" comments traveling from Denver to |
| project politics. | | | | Kansas City. |
| One way to save money is to spend more in the | | | | The distance from between NYC and Florida is about |
| technological capital constructing of these projects | | | | 900 miles (not an especially satisfying drive when you |
| and stack the deck with the highest of high tech. For | | | | throw in Florida's length), Salt Lake to San Francisco |
| instance the use of pilot-less trains is one innovation | | | | 600 miles, Denver to Chicago 900 miles, Detroit to |
| being looked at. High Speed Trains have a great | | | | D.C. 700 miles so you can see the benefits. One |
| advantage over short distances over standing in line | | | | reoccurring idea from soccer moms traveling is to; |
| boarding a plane and getting off a plane and finding a | | | | piggy-back on flat bed rail cars, like ferry. The |
| cab, shuttle or picking up a higher priced rent-a-car | | | | high-speed train could streak across the region and |
| (supply and demand issues with decreased air travel). | | | | then you simply drive off. In studying this concept |
| If you consider the two hours ahead of time they | | | | which seems more than relevant could be done by |
| require for check in and screening, the one hour to | | | | modifying the TTX Auto Hauler Trailers design for |
| get off the plane and get your checked bags, stand | | | | high-speed rail and put in a couple of portable toilets |
| at the curb, drive to the location or hotel you can | | | | so you could get out and use the restroom. |
| see that a 200 mph train; has the over all advantage. | | | | Then you have your car when you get there. Trains |
| Consider 3 hours at 200 mph is 600 miles. Distances | | | | with no engineers are here and this is one way we |
| of 700-800 mile trips, would be much better served | | | | can take out human error and reduce costs. Perhaps |
| by high-speed train VS an airliner. Even if you could fill | | | | with the strong union controls in New Jersey, |
| up an entire A380, it would take an hour and a half | | | | Michigan, New York, Ohio, Massachusetts, |
| just to load the plane and deplane. Distances, which | | | | Connecticut. Maryland and D.C. it may not be feasible |
| are under 150 miles people usually will prefer to drive. | | | | in this decade, but surely for cargo transport trains it |
| So those mileages between 150 miles to 800 miles a | | | | could be done. Eventually these new technologies |
| bullet train is best. | | | | could be introduced and we can enjoy the economies |
| For those not wishing to fly for fear of flying, they | | | | of scale needed to vastly improve our current flow |
| may wish to travel up to 1500 miles or more by | | | | of transportation. Think about it. |
| bullet train. The length of California on the 5 Freeway | | | | |