justme@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 days ago
Similar to en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbulence The gist of it is that once you reach critical density people can not drive homogenously anymore and (de-) accelerate constantly to not bump into the next car. The problem could be alleviated with self driving cars which negotiate a uniform speed.
The problem could be alleviated with self driving cars which negotiate a uniform speed.
Other than the obvious public transit solution comment, you are aware that ACC exists right?
We literally have the technology on almost all cars to keep a uniform distance from the car in front of it, if people realized you can save fuck all time by speeding on your 30 mile commute we could have cars moving at the speed limit and just have smooth traffic flow without any need for self-driving
Geez… I didn’t want to write an entire essay and just mentioned ONE possible example for improvement, to illustrate my explanation. No need to get salty…
Your solution is a dream. Real solutions already exist, it’s called mass transit.
It exists… Only in movies and games though;)
self driving cars which negotiate a uniform speed.
Until then, human drivers could approximate this system by all agreeing on a uniform speed. Maybe through some sort of app?
Or, this sounds crazy, perhaps the authorities could post signs by the side of the highway with the uniform speed printed on it?
That is actually a thing, but the optimal speed depends on traffic. Otherwise it always helps to lower speed limits, there are several studies in my area which show that on average everybody would arrive quicker at their destination if we reduce urban speed limit from 50 to 30 km/h.
YtA4QCam2A9j7EfTgHrH@infosec.pub 2 days ago
The problem is solved by connecting all the cars, and putting them on rails that are electrified. This way you move fuel off site, and the cars are synced by the connection.
justme@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 days ago
I was always dreaming about some kind of “individual public transport” (I think minority report had a nice example, because there the transport is part of your flat and thus doesn’t waste space when not moving), which interconnects into trains for longer distances. Currently it would probably be only freezable for Intercity ranges, otherwise the coupling process takes longer than the drive.
Also, you can charge electric cars through induction rings in the street, like mobile phones. The efficiency is not the best though.
YtA4QCam2A9j7EfTgHrH@infosec.pub 1 day ago
The nice thing about electric trains is that they have no need for batteries. They are always connected to the grid so they don’t have to lug any energy around with them. This makes them lighter than a car who needs those batteries for off grid driving could ever hope to get.
I’m just a train Stan and hate to think about all the money we spend on more dangerous and inefficient transport.