Comments on: The EU may approve “road trains” for European highways

By: Eco Friendly

Eco Friendly — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:47:50 +0000

Even if the system gets invented and approved, no one will voluntarily be one of the middle cars. If you want to drive, you want to drive. If you want to take a train, you take a train. Whatever cost/convenience trade-offs occur will not move a sizable portion of people from either group.

By: Trent Jordan

Trent Jordan — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 11:27:01 +0000

Nice article..but even if the system gets invented and approved, no one will voluntarily be one of the middle cars. If you want to drive, you want to drive. If you want to take a train, you take a train.

By: iamthepush

iamthepush — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:44:06 +0000

this will end nicely.

By: Neil

Neil — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:59:37 +0000

Air drag is an enormous factor in fuel efficiency. Done correctly, this could result in drastic fuel savings. It could be done safely.

By: Old Geezer

Old Geezer — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:50:57 +0000

It’s all controlled by computers. What could possibly go wrong?

By: olderdriver

olderdriver — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:52:18 +0000

As someone who gets arthritis pain if I drive more than an hour or so, this would be fantastic.

By: trollkind

trollkind — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:58:20 +0000

If the free time and relaxation of this doesn’t entice you, maybe 40% fuel saving does.
http://www.hypermiler.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article& id=68&Itemid=64

By: K!P

K!P — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:52:26 +0000

ill be the middle car! correctly backed up computers can hold those distances perfectly. Some newer mercedes already brake and accelarate when on cruise control. this is just a step further.

By: Wes

Wes — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:02:51 +0000

“I wonder how many vehicles you could chain together and have it still be safe.”

Read the article. They aren’t chained together. They’re linked by an electronic network. The participating vehicles are fitted with electronic controls that, when part of a “train,” are operated by the lead vehicle.

No one’s being towed.

By: e cigarette

e cigarette — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:54:27 +0000

Interesting idea!

By: pwscott

pwscott — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:26:02 +0000

I have no problems with road trains pulling semi trailers in rural areas such as deserts or tundras, but around regular everyday traffic, that’s a no no. Lay more track and leave it to CSX. :^P

By: Skipweasel

Skipweasel — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:52:32 +0000

Edward – I’m not so sure. I had to visit Mum twice last week – it’s a 400 mile round trip but not particularly practical by train – not to mention expensive.

If I could have joined a road-train even for an hour or so I’d have jumped at the chance.

By: Edward

Edward — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:13:19 +0000

It’ll never get used. Even if the system gets invented and approved, no one will voluntarily be one of the middle cars. If you want to drive, you want to drive. If you want to take a train, you take a train. Whatever cost/convenience trade-offs occur will not move a sizable portion of people from either group.

By: xultar

xultar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:43:07 +0000

There will be more sex going on than texting.

By: mkechaz

mkechaz — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:41:06 +0000

I agree with Skipweasel, unnerving. My first thoughts were seeing 18 wheelers jack-knifing and losing control. As a passenger in one of the towed vehicles, I can’t imagine trying to text while being on the business of `crack the whip`.

By: Yo

Yo — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:15:36 +0000

I wonder how many vehicles you could chain together and have it still be safe.

This morning I passed a Winnebago pulling an SUV pulling a speedboat and that made me nervous…

By: Skipweasel

Skipweasel — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:56:34 +0000

I get people doing this, informally, all the time. The thing I hate most about other people’s driving is tailgating – some of them so close you can’t see their headlights.

Having said that, set up properly this might be workable though I’d find it very unnerving at first.