Strange is the manner by which the Mind works (don’t just say I am a Fruitcake!). I was reading this missive by Tyler Cowen, Mind rattling down the corridors of Emptiness, contemplating the futility of any Measure to control American Carbon Consumption; American notorious for ignoring Reality under any threat to their Expenditure patterns. I suddenly felt the huge impulse to turn into a Wild Thing, though I don’t think Anyone will love me. A massive new Transportation system flashed before my Eyes, and I knew I just had to anger Everyone!
The Concept is a truly, fully-automated Train system: One composed solely of the transport of Vehicles and Passengers. Loading of Vehicles would be accomplished by an On-Ramp system similar to Interstate access, with Speed limited to 5 mph, necessity to follow the Green lights, and Drive channels to position the Vehicle in the correct Axle clamp alignment. Cars could be positioned 5 to a Train Car, Trucks at Two per Car. The automated Train system would not leave until the Train was full, and Passengers had paid the requisite Transport fee, and would run at constant Speed with full Safety Distance technology, supervised by a centralized, manned Control room. Passengers could pay the Transport fee only is Club and Dining Cars on the Train, which served Meals and Drinks through Coin and Bill Operating systems; all Passengers would come to these Cars, as the doors to such Cars would be locked during Passage. Transit fees would be set based upon Carbon usage, Capitalization, and Fuel Costs. Exit at Destination would be accomplished by a 90-Degree Turn of the Vehicle in Question, unlocking of the axle locks, and straight Drive down the unloading ramp.
A fancy Train system, but undoubtedly unpatronized under normal conditions. It is sad, because it remains an excellent system to reduce Carbon burning, relieve Driver fatigue, provide more Scenic travel, and relatively equal Speed movement over long distances. Now to adopt a Totalitarian approach, while maintaining a Democratic appearance; my Answer is Selling Interstate access in special circumstances. My Suggestion would be to impose a 30-Day silent beeper for a 200-mile Interstate access; the Beeper electronically programmed for the Consumer choice limits, while the Beeper must be carried in the Vehicle used. Movement outside the area of choice would award the Driver with notification to the nearest law enforcement official, with an extremely high associational Fine imposed--especially if caught on the Interstate system without a beeper (I would suggest Confiscation of the Vehicle, potential additional $10,000 Fine, and possible 30-Day Jail stay--any or all of the Above, depending on previous offense). Beepers could be exchanged at Periodic booths (actually simply reprogrammed for a $25 fee with free battery recharge, and beepers presence can be checked by Patroling officers). Local area Residents are served with less than $1/Day fee, while long distance travel by Interstate quickly becomes more expensive than the enjoyable Train system, which may even give a free Beeper at the Point of Destination (for a 200-mile radius).
The new Train system would admittedly be vastly expensive, but all Fees from both Train system and Interstate system (including Fines) would go specifically to funding the new system. The Local area Fee feed would maintain the system through amortization quite well, at a very low Tax which aids in economic performance. Train Access Terminals would be minimized at 200-mile Intervals in the West, and Population concentration would assure easy Payment for the facilities in the East. It would dictate a Sea Change in human Transport in America, and none to soon, at a very reasonable Price and Value. lgl
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