U.S. Autobahn and high speed train

[rkasal]

Yes, I realize it's dreaming but shouldn't we have a N to S and E to W autobahn in the United States? And, a high speed train with several N to S and E to W routes?

On one of the auto boards, they were talking about a guy who just made a cannonball run from NY to CA in 32 hours in an M5. He had an extra fuel tank and a spotter plane.

The Germans have found the unsafe drivers (I'm completely ignoring my other post about the GMAC test) to be the people in the left lane driving under the speed limit, new drivers, and those with unsafe cars.

I keep my cars and bikes up on maintenance like it was a religion. Some on the auto board were whining about this M5 driver being reckless. I say in an inspected car with a skillful driver and on maintained roads designed for speed, bursts of 150mph is safe.

Now, the green crowd may disagree. Let's look at Japan. It's my understanding that the politicians there mandated no motorcycles over 600cc. I'm researching that to determine what is accurate. The politicians here could mandate the same for cars or motorcycles in the interest of the environment.

So, we have several factors that would possibly prevent a U.S. autobahn; politicians/environment, "safety", driver skils or lack of, safe cars, maintained roads, etc. But should we not have such roads here?

An a high speed train should be at the top of the list. Amtrak, IF you're in a sleeper car, is a decent way to travel but it's too slow. Why are the Europeans ahead of us again?

[rocketman]

Not a bad idea, but we as country seem to be so in love with the idea of indepentant travel and in love with our cars that mass transit always seem to take a hit and the cost of building a whole new rail system to handle high speed trains is probably a killer right there. I seriously doubt that the current rail system could handle it. Now we do have some things similar, the Auto Train seems to have made a good running. I know tons of folks who have used it and sing its prases.

Autobahns? I wonder if you could do that all the way across the US with the mountain ranges on the east and west sides of the country. do the ones in Europe cross the Alps or are high speed lanes only in the lower, flatter areas?

Driver skill and attitude would also play a big factor. There are places on the east where speed limits are set at 70 (and I think 75?) and the times I've riden driven those, it was pretty scary when the 80-85 mph folks when whizzing by all over the road, weaving in and out like maniacs. Yet when in Germany some years ago, we were going 160 Klh and I felt pretty safe. So how do we re-educate an entire population?

yes it would be an interesting study to find out why it works in one area and may not work here. Lots of factors play in, I've sure I've hardly scratched the surface.

RM

[rkasal]

Not a bad idea, but we as country seem to be so in love with the idea of indepentant travel and in love with our cars that mass transit always seem to take a hit and the cost of building a whole new rail system to handle high speed trains is probably a killer right there. I seriously doubt that the current rail system could handle it. Now we do have some things similar, the Auto Train seems to have made a good running. I know tons of folks who have used it and sing its prases.

Autobahns? I wonder if you could do that all the way across the US with the mountain ranges on the east and west sides of the country. do the ones in Europe cross the Alps or are high speed lanes only in the lower, flatter areas?

Driver skill and attitude would also play a big factor. There are places on the east where speed limits are set at 70 (and I think 75?) and the times I've riden driven those, it was pretty scary when the 80-85 mph folks when whizzing by all over the road, weaving in and out like maniacs. Yet when in Germany some years ago, we were going 160 Klh and I felt pretty safe. So how do we re-educate an entire population?

yes it would be an interesting study to find out why it works in one area and may not work here. Lots of factors play in, I've sure I've hardly scratched the surface.

RM

Part of the re-education of the populace in regards to high speed driving skills would be thanks to proving Darwin's theory. Unfortunately, they'd take out some innocent people as their belief in their skills exceeds reality.

I toss these questions out for the collective wisdom. I'm extremely independent but enjoy looking out the window and letting the train take me somewhere. Not to mention the fun that can be had on a train... :heart

An autobahn would require, in my opinion, several things; cars would have to be inspected and only inspected cars with perhaps special plates would be allowed at higher speeds. Those who drive in the left lane and do not immediately pull over to the right could receive a day in jail or substantial financial penalties. Part of the requirement for special plates (at a premium) would be a required high speed driver's course at a premium. Of course, this would entail more government regulations and personnel but it would increase our ability to get across the country thus enhancing our feelings of freedom.

Roads would have to be maintained to a higher standard. Those Ohio roads on East get to be gnarly. Then, into Pennsylvania, the increased traffic with apparent decreased driving skills can be interesting.

[lamble]

An autobahn would require, in my opinion, several things; cars would have to be inspected and only inspected cars with perhaps special plates would be allowed at higher speeds. Those who drive in the left lane and do not immediately pull over to the right could receive a day in jail or substantial financial penalties. Part of the requirement for special plates (at a premium) would be a required high speed driver's course at a premium. Of course, this would entail more government regulations and personnel but it would increase our ability to get across the country thus enhancing our feelings of freedom.

Roads would have to be maintained to a higher standard. Those Ohio roads on East get to be gnarly. Then, into Pennsylvania, the increased traffic with apparent decreased driving skills can be interesting.

The airport system seems to negate the need for the train and I'm sure they'd lobby long and hard to prevent it.

There was a discussion about lane sharing here in WA and the proposal was made to allow single occupancy vehicles into the High Occupancy Vehicle lane (at certain times) if the owner paid a fee. This was seen as enabling those who were financially better off. The need to have an approved car and take a high-speed driver course would probably face the same criticism.

[rocketman]

Part of the re-education of the populace in regards to high speed driving skills would be thanks to proving Darwin's theory. Unfortunately, they'd take out some innocent people as their belief in their skills exceeds reality.

I toss these questions out for the collective wisdom. I'm extremely independent but enjoy looking out the window and letting the train take me somewhere. Not to mention the fun that can be had on a train... :heart

An autobahn would require, in my opinion, several things; cars would have to be inspected and only inspected cars with perhaps special plates would be allowed at higher speeds. Those who drive in the left lane and do not immediately pull over to the right could receive a day in jail or substantial financial penalties. Part of the requirement for special plates (at a premium) would be a required high speed driver's course at a premium. Of course, this would entail more government regulations and personnel but it would increase our ability to get across the country thus enhancing our feelings of freedom.

Roads would have to be maintained to a higher standard. Those Ohio roads on East get to be gnarly. Then, into Pennsylvania, the increased traffic with apparent decreased driving skills can be interesting.

I see you're practicing the use of "understatements" today!:D

Trains are a nice form of transportation and often take you thru some of the more interesting places and towns. Not only here but also overseas, I've taken my share and generally enjoyed the experieance. Great if you're as interested in the "going there" as you are in the "Being there" of any given trip.

RM

[tghsmith]

the german auto bahn works because ,
1. they have a working train system that is often faster and cheaper.
2. they pay lots for their fuel
3. they don't tell you that over certain speeds your insurance coverage is limited(do it at your own risk)
4. they pay around 1000euros each for the manditory driver eduction classes
5. getting a lawer to get out of ticket does happen there.
^. yes they do have horrific chrashes

[riderR1150GSAdv]

There are horrific crashes in the US without the high speed involved. Just look at you local news and wonder what people were thinking prior to the idiocy they got involved in.
Problem here is that people have zero discipline and are way to impatient and concentrate on anything but driving.
I learned driving in Europe and when you pay dearly for that license you do your best to hang on. Here driving is seen as a right by many, while it still is a privilege. IMHO not enough licenses and vehicles are taken away from drivers who shouldn't be on the road. Too many rights and not enough consequences for stupid behavior.

[flash412]

Take the MagLev, in Shanghai. It makes all other ground-based transportation positively slow by comparison.

[From MARS]

My suggestion is to use the current interstate highway right-of-ways for placing elevated high-speed mag-level trains.

The vision includes a "go to the moon" type program whereby we, the US, become the worlds leading developer of mag-level trains. We develope an educational program to teach kids about super-conducting magnet technology. Boeing, or some other aicraft manufacturer, could design and build the cars. The rental car companies could position cars at the stations.

We start with competing projects on the East, West, and Gulf Coast to reduce the number of commuters flying short distances or driving on the interstates. Then a natural expansion of the system into the heartland.

The reduced traffic on the interstates would allow for higher speed limits.
Tom

[GlobalRider]

Yes, I realize it's dreaming but shouldn't we have a N to S and E to W autobahn in the United States? And, a high speed train with several N to S and E to W routes?

As for the autobahn, NO, without being able to somehow change the attitutes of drivers. Talk about havoc on our highways as it is.

There is a big difference how Germans (and most Europeans) think and how North Americans (including Canada) think. I know. I drive there and I have both family and friends living there. We could get into lots of examples.

As for the high-speed train, would people so in love with the automobile use it? Maybe when we start seeing $10 per gallon prices.

The Germans have found the unsafe drivers to be the people in the left lane driving under the speed limit, new drivers, and those with unsafe cars.

Well its more than just left lane dreamers. I was just coming home on a two-lane 400 series highway (like your Interstates) yesterday evening when I came across a driver doing the 2 minute passing maneuver per car. When that lame brain finally cleared all the cars, they just remained in the left lane (BTW, illegal on 400 series highways). So I passed on the right (luckily still legal to do; its not on the autobahn) and sure enough (here is that attitude I was talking about), the car I was passing picked up the pace to prevent me from passing. Well I did, but it was amazing that for over 25 miles, I could still see that car in my rear view mirrror in the left lane blocking some drivers while others passed on the right. Enough said.

The politicians here could mandate the same for cars or motorcycles in the interest of the environment.

I've said it before. If politicians are sooooo interested in the environment, they'd pull all tractor trailers polluting our air and wrecking our highways off our roads and ship all long distance cargo by train.

[Fletch66]

It would be nice to see. But we seem to live in the ME generation. People here have a hard enough time driving the speed limit. Somebody's rights would be violated somehow. The you can't make me drive in the right lane attitude, or it is very unsafe for me to eat, drink, talk on the phone, text message and all the other stuff going on besides driving, at those speeds. Then there is the lawsuits that would be involved. I never thought I would be at the age to say it, but I miss the good old days. And I'm only 41. Hahahaha
The train would be awesome. But then again, once the government became involved and kickbacks are in place, it would be ruined like most other good ideas. Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now and get ready to go take a ride.
Brad Doyle
Fairview Heights, IL

[njnear]

Eisenhower envisioned the interstate system after "visiting" Germany in the early '40's. Unfortunately, the system was watered down by including speed limits and the necessity of just in time manufacturing that has turned the interstates into rolling pipelines.

On the speed side, I am of the belief that cars/motorcycles are one of the few items built by humans that are engineered state of the art and then operated at less than 50% of capacity; maybe even less than 25%. Mining equipment operates at near capacity. Factories, near capacity. Pumps, airplanes, space shuttles, even computers run at near capacity levels (design) without fear of punishment (or should I say revenuers?). Isn't it odd that most cars can safely operate at 100+ mph, some can safely operate at 150 mph and we limit them to 75.....in a select few states.

The real limit for automotive transportation is shown on the NASCAR (although it has it's demons) and Indy circuit. Top Fuel is not part of the equation for longevity. The real design issues are at the areas of compressibility (about 200 mph). There is the region we should be focused on from a design stand point. Not 55.

[tghsmith]

we are so far behind the curve, around 1995 the news heralded the high speed train starting in eastcoast region, how fast it was, how modern it was, our japanese foreign exchange was doing her homework and didn't even look up from her book while stating "we have much faster train put in museum" nuff said!!!

[Seeker]

I love the autobahn idea, I'm thinking east to west, whats the point of vehicles that can go How fast? that cost How much? if there's no place to really open it up.
It could be a toll road.

As for the train, not going to happen. I can't even stand to car pool.

[dlearl476]

High Speed Train-All for it.
US Autobahn? Nothing more boring that driving a high performance car on an antiseptic, straight road.

Not to mention it no longer makes sense in with the environment/gas supply.

I say more high speed public transportation and save gasoline and fast cars and bikes for what they do on the Isle of Man: "No Restriction" zones outside of poplutated areas.

[username]

An autobahn would require, in my opinion, several things; cars would have to be inspected and only inspected cars with perhaps special plates would be allowed at higher speeds. Those who drive in the left lane and do not immediately pull over to the right could receive a day in jail or substantial financial penalties. Part of the requirement for special plates (at a premium) would be a required high speed driver's course at a premium. Of course, this would entail more government regulations and personnel but it would increase our ability to get across the country thus enhancing our feelings of freedom.

why do you liberals always support big government regulation, and ideas that would undoubtedly require more taxes to implement? jeez, you want special government inspections for cars, more cops to put people in jail overnight for driving in the left lane, the DMV to print and track special license plates and revoke them if the driver fails to have his or her car inspected in subsequent years, and we'll have to spend tons of money to upgrade the roads and make them safe at speeds as high as 150 mph. while we're taxing americans to death so they have more "feelings of freedom" why don't we also throw in socialized medicine that includes high speed drive-thru clinics for abortions and free needles for heroin addicts too?

you liberals need to learn to solve your own problems and stop asking the government to do everything for you.

[GlobalRider]

While we're taxing Americans to death...

Trust me on this one; Americans don't know anything about being taxed to death and if they think they do, they should try moving outside of the US.

[dlearl476]

you liberals need to learn to solve your own problems and stop asking the government to do everything for you.

:violin

Way ahead of you, pally:
http://www.techdose.com/reviews/Valentine1/valentineone.gif


Now, if I can only find somewhere to get free syringes.
:dance

[lamble]

Personally I've found anything 155mph, or over, and things start to happen rather rapidly. So whilst my bikes and cars were technically capable of more, either I wasn't, those around me weren't, or the conditions (weather/road etc...)weren't condusive to high speed.


155mph was the arbitrary manufacturer limiter for some of my quicker cars...the bikes would top that.

Toll roads are considered elitist. A high speed train is better environmentally, from a 'movement of people v energy expended' stand point (so long as sufficient numbers used it regularly-feasibility study anyone?), but building a track wouldn't be so green.

Freight by rail is the way forward, but hauliers would scream foul play and lobby loud and long, with the benefit of being able to bring the country-any country- to its knees through strike action, long before a rail solution was built and a viable alternative.

Plus, who'd put their name to a bill to build super-fast roads for the affluent, when the first crash and fatality will always be associated with it?
I know who might, someone whose electoral kitty was boosted by large contributions from a road/rail construction conglomerate and was successful in getting the Presidency...I'm not pointing any fingers, just suggesting that that might be the time such a scheme appears.