 | GHAWAR: an estimate of remaining oil reserves and production decline (Part 2 - results) | The Oil Drum | DrumBeat: April 29, 2007 |  |
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There is a real holier than thou undercurrent on this site that believes anyone who wants to get somewhere in a short amount of time is an unenlightened fool. You know, some of us aren't retired and don't have all day to putz around, and if it's the difference between a two hour trip and a six hour trip, it might be the difference between seeing our loved ones frequently and hardly seeing them at all. Some people don't want to be forced to "enjoy" the scenerey, they just want to get where they are going. If you want to see the sights, may I suggest you bike out and really see them, rather than simply glance as you ride on by?
Post-Peak Oil, you will likely see your distant loved ones less, due to economic constraints.
Having a choice better trading off time for $; perhaps on some trips you will make one choice and the other choice on other trips. Is choice a bad thing ?
In the case in point, Edmonton & Calgary, about 175 miles apart, air xervice is marginal and a top speed of 110 mph and an average speed of 88 mph (2 hours city center to city center ) certainly competes quite well with driving AND flying.
Best Hopes,
Alan
Not to presume to speak for others, but I think the point is that slower rail is more likely to get built for reasons of cost. If so, it might become a case of being able to see distant relatives at all... or not.
Hard to imagine there being enough money and resources around to build and maintain 300mph bullet trains to everywhere.
I believe that true high speed rail is down our list of priorities and will not be suitable for many routes for decades to come.
OTOH, "faster than driving" rail is often quite doable at reasonable prices (see Edmonton-Calgary).
Best Hopes,
Alan
I'd be happy with "as fast as driving" or "nearly as fast as driving." Why? Well, when I'm driving, I have to pay attention to the road (not as if everybody else does, but oh well) and as a result I cannot read a book on the way to my destination. (Or do something more mind-numbing such as watching a show/movie, playing a game, etc.)
Another benefit is that it's not a potentially deadly scenario if I were to fall asleep in transit. :) (That's something that my body likes to do.)
Now folks, what we need here is a range of choices. For those of you who just want to get there fast and don't care to stare at the scenery, might I suggest a cruise missile? Or, if you are young and can take the G's, an ICBM? The food is lousy and the stewardesses are nowhere, but, ya don't get speed for nothin'.