this post was submitted on 24 Aug 2023
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Fuck Cars

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Image transcript:

Calvin (from Calvin & Hobbes) sitting at a lemonade stand, smiling, with a sign that reads, "Trains and micromobility are inevitably the future of urban transportation, whether society wants it or not. CHANGE MY MIND."

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Electric motors are now capable of >90% regen, so the braking energy argument against short stops doesn't work anymore (and the energy during motion strictly less than a rubber tired vehicle with a worse aspect ratio so long as the trip is no longer).

The amount of rail needed for short distance distribution networks could still be prohibitive in regions designed for road though. Even then one could still argue that the total infrastructure costs are lower by moving the destinations slightly given how much roads cost to maintain.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Well, streetcars could be an option for high density corridors but they will lose money in low density, low ridership areas.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

Roads always lose money, so that's still a win. Travel speed and coverage may be a limiting factor though.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Roads and cars lose money constantly.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You have to hire streetcar drivers and pay to maintain the vehicles and run a transit agency.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Yes. Well done. You identified the things that cost less than running a road network. Very nice good faith addition to the conversation.