Share the Road Train
Road trains look like a very encouraging solution to automotive transportation. Essentially cars using wireless signals to automatically follow a lead car. I’ve long felt that if all cars were somehow connected and able to start and stop together that we’d all save a lot of time and headache on the road! Have you ever noticed how much time is wasted just waiting for the cars ahead of you to start moving?
Imagine how much better life would be if we could have transit time to do whatever we wanted. Work, sleep, read, you name it. I’m sure it will be awhile before they are ready for prime time, but I personally can’t wait.
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Categories: Fun, Gadget, Green, Technology |
Tags: automation, cars, collaboration, environment, freedom, Fun, future, Gadget, Green, innovation, networking, Technology, transportation, travel, urban
I’ve been preaching this type of automotive technology for YEARS!!! If I felt like I could do something about it, I would… it seems so basic to allow the cars to do most of the driving to avoid traffic jams, human error, etc.
The difference in my theory and this idea is that I would devote an entire lane (maybe replacing the HOV lane) with a “Road Train” or “auto lane”… that is, until all cars had it, then the whole highway would be automatic!
Think about the fuel savings by not stopping and starting in traffic as much!
Yeah, good one! My vision was akin to the Minority Report vein of fully automated cars. Can you imagine how much more efficient transportation would be? I tend to believe everyday transportation frustration is at the root of many of society’s problems.
But I imagine that’s a ways off. For now, an incremental road train or even the fact that my Prius shuts off the engine every time I coast or stop is a step in the right direction!
People will argue that giving up control of their own driving destiny will lead to more trouble, even in the face of contrary statistics, but it will be driven by absolute need in the future.