this post was submitted on 08 Feb 2024
1326 points (100.0% liked)
196
16244 readers
1844 users here now
Be sure to follow the rule before you head out.
Rule: You must post before you leave.
founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
Trains are barely more space efficient and what would we do with current roads for cars anywhere? If we just leave them there, nothing would be gained. And cars are just easier to travel by and make more sense in general.
That's a meaningless statement
By barely you mean 20 fold?
See, this is why I don't like these posts. You have to keep in mind that the train won't be at that capacity because it is more limited in where it can go and when. Sure, if you are like going across a country it's alright, and I don't disagree, I've actually used trains for that. But as soon as it becomes the only source of transportation, we have issues.
This post literally has car lanes in the fucking picture so get your strawman out of here
So then are we really saving space if we keep it there or are we just using more to make train tracks?
The problem with having only car lanes is that they'll always be congested, no matter how many lanes you add (look up induced demand). Trains have so much more capacity that we don't run into this issue.
Basically, 4 car lanes=traffic jams twice a day vs. 2 car lanes + 2 train tracks= traffic flowing freely.
Of course a subway would be even nicer but those aren't always an option because tunneling is expensive
And making train tracks across line distances is also expensive. Why would the government spend money there instead of something like the failing school system or defending the nation or trying to help with the huge issue of homelessness.