• MonkeMischief@lemmy.today
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    11 months ago

    But see the R&D for this could easily go to improving the existing infrastructure of shipping a fleet of trucks single-file along…

    …rails.

    • Nalivai@discuss.tchncs.de
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      11 months ago

      What was the name of the law that states that if techbro starts inventing a new form of transportation, they will always come up with shittier form of train given enough time

      • MonkeMischief@lemmy.today
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        11 months ago

        Lmao this is a recurring joke in AdamSomething’s video essays.

        “Cities of the future” with thousands of suspended, individualized cars on thin rails propelled by their own motors. New shiny dedicated roads with tons of individualized, but linked, passenger cabins. Heck, the hyperloop scam!

        But hoo boi don’t you dare say train. It sounds so… communal.

        Really shows what these lofty designers think of the public they’re allegedly designing for.

    • jackoneill@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      right??? the only reasonable use for this tech would be to make a train of trucks…but we already have trains…so just make a fuckin train

      • Pazuzu@midwest.social
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        11 months ago

        even if you insist on trucks, just use converter dollies like we already do across the US for double and triple trailers, or hook a bunch of b-train style trailers together like the aussies do for their road trains. physical links are hell of a lot more robust and reliable than some goofy wifi gokarts with a trailer hitch can ever be

    • drathvedro@lemm.ee
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      11 months ago

      That’s exactly it. If you need to haul loads of stuff efficiently the train is definitely a better option. But, can’t deny there’s some compelling pros to this idea if it was actually feasible. The main one is that you wouldn’t need to load stuff on and off the train and instead just run the trucks all the way from start to finish. Another one is re-using the existing infrastructure and vehicles. And the last one is that truck warehouses are easier to move than train stations, so they don’t impede city’s growth as much, but I’m not sure about that one, maybe there’s some other options - I’m just salty at my homecity’s planning where a train line effectively splits the city in half causing massive congestions at the few available rail crossings.