Naw. They're computer controlled and independently moving - no tethers. Makes one wonder how bad the snarls on I-5 would be the first time an onboard computer went AWOL, or exactly how other vehicles could handle a catastrophic condition that would instantaneously send a vehicle into a less than desireable trajectory.
And what would happen in such an event were the operator to be drinking tea and eating crumpets while reading the morning paper? Following closer than the madmen and women already do on "the 5" seems to be a recipe for disaster, perhaps more so than any other aspect of metro-commuter driving. Todd Swearingen ----- Original Message ----- From: "Martin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <biofuel@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2003 6:59 AM Subject: Re: [biofuel] Self-drive cars ahead > Aren't they called trains? > > -- > -- > Martin Klingensmith > http://infoarchive.net/ > http://nnytech.net/ > > > > Keith Addison wrote: > > >http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/2966094.stm > >BBC NEWS | Technology | Self-drive cars ahead > >7 June, 2003, 07:46 GMT 08:46 UK > > > >Self-drive cars ahead > > > >End in sight for traffic chaos? > > > >In the future technology will drive cars for us, eliminating road > >rage and accidents and making traffic jams a thing of the past. > > > >This is the view of BT's resident futurologist Ian Pearson, who is > >convinced that it will be technology rather than tolls that can solve > >the UK's current traffic crisis. > > > >"The only real solution to traffic congestion may be to stop people > >from driving cars," he said. > > > >"I don't mean that we shouldn't have and use cars, just that they > >should be driven by computers and not humans, electronically tethered > >to cars in front and behind," he said. > > > >Bypassing jams > > > > If the trials are successful, we may see all new cars fitted with > >the system by 2010, making it impossible to speed > > > >Ian Pearson, futurologist > > > >Mr Pearson envisages traffic systems that allow cars to drive > >centimetres apart at high speed, with cars joining flowing traffic > >much more easily thanks to computers' micro-second reaction time. > > > >"Using this technology we may not have the thrill of driving a > >powerful car on an empty road, but with the growth of traffic, that's > >an option that even today is open only to relatively few of us," he > >said. > > > >Already traffic navigation systems are allowing cars to bypass jams, > >although they work at the moment because only few people have them. > > > >As more and more motorists take advantage of such systems to beat the > >queues, they are likely to find new queues on the bypass route. > > > >Broadband help > > > >Another solution, already being tested, is to have car engine > >management systems linked to local speed limits using on-board GPS > >receivers. > > > >"If the trials are successful, we may see all new cars fitted with > >the system by 2010, making it impossible to speed," said Mr Pearson. > > > >As we wait for sophisticated technology solutions to traffic chaos, > >existing broadband connections can also play a part in reducing > >traffic on the roads. > > > >Having a fast net service means more people are avoiding the roads > >altogether and choosing to work from home. > > > >The internet can also provide people with round-the-clock and > >up-to-date information on public transport as another alternative to > >gridlocked roads. > > > > > > > >Biofuel at Journey to Forever: > >http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html > > > >Biofuels list archives: > >http://archive.nnytech.net/ > > > >Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. > >To unsubscribe, send an email to: > >[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Biofuel at Journey to Forever: > http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html > > Biofuels list archives: > http://archive.nnytech.net/ > > Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. > To unsubscribe, send an email to: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Get A Free Psychic Reading! Your Online Answer To Life's Important Questions. http://us.click.yahoo.com/Lj3uPC/Me7FAA/ySSFAA/FGYolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://archive.nnytech.net/ Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
