Posted on 04/27/2006 5:14:22 AM PDT by Flightdeck
MARION, Indiana (AP) -- A semitrailer crashed through a median on Interstate 69 and collided with a college van Wednesday night, killing five people, police said.
The collision peeled open the side of the van, and several occupants were ejected, said state police Sgt. Rodger Popplewell. The semi driver was among five injured.
About 2 miles of interstate in Grant County, midway between Fort Wayne and Indianapolis, were closed.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
We also have that little oil problem.
One solution which will never happen: Electromagnetic transportation. Same principle as the high speed trains, but everyone has to go purchase their own little "car". It has no internal combustion engine, just magnets. The individual can retain their own little space and privacy, and the car companies can transition to the new industry. Their is no gasoline. Power is supplied by centralized plants. Nuclear power plants could supply the energy to run local grids. We either pay a fee to ride, or it's a tax.
And there are no fatal accidents. Each car follows the grid to its destination all the way from their driveway. It is impossible to crash through a median and kill five innocent college students.
Why it won't happen: - $ Billions of infrastructure per city, not mention connections - Oil companies and car companies don't really think it's a good idea. - It would be really difficult...
One day, however, somebody who has enough power is going to have a kid get killed minding his own business, and the debate will begin: do we really have to accept 80,000 fatalities per year on our roads??
Your money first
Cannons.
I've always been partial to cannons. With the proper planning, they would need to be spaced no less than twenty miles apart.
Smaller, 'feeder cannons' can deal with local 'traffic'.
Sorry, they contribute to global warming/cooling.
The smart money is on slingshots.
I prefer transporters and wormholes myself.
Why don't we simply transition right away to the Jetson's car.
Then we don't need highways. After our robotic bed gets us up in the morning moving us on the conveyor belt from the toilet, shower, kitchen and garage it would wisk us off to work with Mr. Spacely.
Problem solved.
Interesting how two paths can never cross in this scheme.
"Interesting how two paths can never cross in this scheme."
No..the wouldn't have to. And even if there was a waiting situation it would be a very simple matter.
Well it's a simple matter now, isn't it?
Somebody's got a stop sign, somebody's got a red light. somebody's got a green light. Pretty darn simple.
Accidents still happen. I don't believe that turning over control of the vehicle to someone else will stop it.
Tell me how much the infrastructure is going to cost us? And how long? Prepping in cities will be a pain, but how about reaching out to Mom and Pop in Podunk Ohio???
"Tell me how much the infrastructure is going to cost us?"
A hell of a lot. That's why I said it wouldn't happen.
As a driver of a "big rig" I can tell you that it is often difficult to maintain control of the truck on roads which are poorly maintained, and often poorly designed.
Why should we think that "electro-magnetic" roads would be any better?
I think the best solution to our high fatality count and oil use is lower speed limits and alot less horsepower.
My suggestion to you: don't drive. Take public transportation.
Eliminating all risk on the highways isn't even on MY list of priorities.
"Well it's a simple matter now, isn't it?"
Yes, very.
"Somebody's got a stop sign, somebody's got a red light. somebody's got a green light. Pretty darn simple."
Who said anything about stop signs and lights? You're stuck in two dimensions.
"Why should we think that "electro-magnetic" roads would be any better?"
Because they are tracked.
--ditto--
I personally would like to see a dramatic increase in the welfare program. Then I could collect my checks from the comfort of my own home, never having to venture out on the dangerous roads.
more info on the crash and victims
http://www.taylor.edu/community/news/accident_04-26-06.htm
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