[ElijahLynn]

So, wouldn't dedicated high speed lanes by autonomous vehicles be more flexible?

They are talking 220mph here. I would think autonomous electric vehicles could do this too.

Although, possibly rail might be safer because you can build fences to keep animals out.

Maybe a mixture of both in the future?

[yadaeno]

also vehicles would be

- 10x costs to maintain the vehicles (tires brakes etc) - 10x less energy efficient - 10x less comfortable, cars are bumpy trains are smooth

[ElijahLynn]

That makes sense on those tradeoffs, I'm just wondering how many people would use high speed rail by going to a station and waiting for it. Maybe if they could make the departure and arrival seamless. And also have frequent departure times it could work. I used to take the train a lot from New Jersey to NYC and the 1 hour gap made it kind of a PITA, 15 minute increments makes it so one doesn't have to plan so much around it, and it is thus more likely one can rely on it.

[mikecoles]

"cars are bumpy trains are smooth "

Your delusions never cease to amaze.

[niek_pas]

What autonomous vehicles?

[ElijahLynn]

Waymo type vehicles.

[throwaway-blaze]

I wouldn't get in one of those going 22 miles an hour let alone 220 mph.