Slashdot Mirror
Should Cities Install Moving Sidewalks?
theodp writes "The real problem nowadays is how to move crowds,' said the manager of the failed Trottoir Roulant Rapide high-speed (9 km/h) people mover project. 'They can travel fast over long distances with the TGV (high-speed train) or airplanes, but not over short distances (under 1 km).' Slate's Tom Vanderbilt explores whether moving walkways might be viable for urban transportation. The first moving sidewalks were unveiled at Chicago's 1893 Columbian Exposition, and at one point seemed destined to supplant some subways, but never took root in cities for a variety of reasons. Vanderbilt turns to science fiction for inspiration, where 30 mph walkways put today's tortoise-like speed ranges of .5-.83 m/s to shame. In the meantime, Jerry Seinfeld will just have to learn to live with 'the people who get onto the moving walkway and just stand there. Like it's a ride.'"
You say that like it's not what is happening... like.. now...
It's best not to generalize people. Everyone does that nowadays, geez.
-- This space for lease, low setup fee, inquire within!
I have a theory. America is attempting to commit Manifest Destiny by making its people so fat that is becomes so massive that the rest of the world just collapses in on it. Black hole style.
If Shelbyville is getting them, I think we should also. Damn the cost!
30 mph walkways put today's tortoise-like speed ranges of .5-.83 m/s to shame.
Can't we at least get this in consistent units? For instance, "80,000 furlong per fortnight walkways put today's tortoise-like speed ranges of 3000-5000 furlongs per fortnight to shame".
You seem lost. Here, let me help you:
http://digg.com/
When I was riding the train there I kept having little old ladies ask me to carry their luggage for them up the stairs. I can't imagine what wheelchaired people do.
They tell the little old ladies "No."
Did you remember to stick your thumb up your ass? You can't get first post unless you have your thumb up your ass. Try it, you'll see.
- None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license. -- John Milton
What we need is some people who think outside the box to help manifest synergies and shift paradigms, only then will moving sidewalks materialize. Now where is my ornothopter?
Wow. The level of depressing buzzword reliance just hurt my brain.
Remember: every time humanity comes up with an idiot-proof contraption, nature designs a better idiot.
Lemme guess. I'm modded "flamebait" because some fatass didn't like being called a lardass, right?
It's reality. The people using the walkway are going to be these people. Five feet may not even be wide enough in some cases.
Simple solution - for all you health nuts that are complaining about obesity...just run on the thing backwards.
There, fixed that for ya.
"Before God we are all equally wise - and equally foolish"
Albert Einstein
Well there's our solution to all our road durability issues: just make them all out of chewing gum!
This is my sig. There are many like it but this one is mine.
No, the Segways were supposed to cure cash in the pocket and looking too cool syndrome.
Yeah but cattle prods work pretty much everywhere.
God invented whiskey so the Irish would not rule the world.
or, if not people of Walmart, then maybe someone like.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXCuGvsThEw
Nah, it's totally because it was against their "No coherent signage" policy.
No, the UK is worst. The Germans' obesity is wurst, which tastes better.