Experience a trip from Manhattan to Boston
An older couple in their eighties living in Manhattan want to visit their new grandson in Boston. They use a smartphone app to call for a car to pick them up at their apartment the next morning at 8 am. Oh, they also want the travel limo to bring them a continental breakfast. The next morning the limo arrives at 8 am, they load their bags in the trunk and get in the car. The car confirms the trip to the children’s home will take 1 hour and 49 minutes and will cost $92.10, the breakfast is extra.
The trip begins with a five-minute self-driving electric limo ride to the mass transit station. The automated station checks that the car is fit for the trip (tires, motors, electronics, computers etc.). The limo warns the couple to secure belongings and fasten their seat belts as they are about to launch into the high-speed toll road. It will feel about the same as taking off in a commercial jet. Once on the toll road the couple enjoys their breakfast and watches the scenery pass by from their elevated view. They are moving along at 140 mph and are 20 feet above the ground. They could choose to watch the news, read a book, have a drink, or take a nap. In one hour and a half the car warns that they will be exiting the toll road in 3 minutes and they need to store their stuff, fasten their seat belts, and to prepare for stopping. The car exits the toll road and comes to a stop in the station. Is a restroom break needed? If not, then off to see the grand kids, six minutes away. A low stress, single vehicle trip of less than two hours means they could spend the day in Boston with the grand kids and then leave at 6:30 pm and be home before 8:30 pm.
Compare this trip to what it now takes: Current average drive time 4 hours 17 minutes. Flying at a discount rate would cost $98 not counting taxi fares and luggage fees. To get to the airport, check in, and go through security would make the trip take over 5 hours. The 8:03 AM, 2290 Acela Express train takes 3 hrs, 42 min arriving at Boston - South Station at 11:45 AM. There is a return train at 4:35 pm. Travel time 4 hrs, 15 min arriving at 8:50 pm. Round trip senior fare for one person $165.75 plus taxi fares.
It is doubtful this elderly couple would even make the trip with current travel options.
The new travel mode is expected to very disruptive as other modes of travel cannot compete. Very high traffic volumes can be expected with stations every 5 miles or so providing travel for both local and long distance commuters. Global warming is reduced nationwide as a by-product of switching to electric vehicles, potentially reducing the nations CO2 output by up to 30%.
The trip begins with a five-minute self-driving electric limo ride to the mass transit station. The automated station checks that the car is fit for the trip (tires, motors, electronics, computers etc.). The limo warns the couple to secure belongings and fasten their seat belts as they are about to launch into the high-speed toll road. It will feel about the same as taking off in a commercial jet. Once on the toll road the couple enjoys their breakfast and watches the scenery pass by from their elevated view. They are moving along at 140 mph and are 20 feet above the ground. They could choose to watch the news, read a book, have a drink, or take a nap. In one hour and a half the car warns that they will be exiting the toll road in 3 minutes and they need to store their stuff, fasten their seat belts, and to prepare for stopping. The car exits the toll road and comes to a stop in the station. Is a restroom break needed? If not, then off to see the grand kids, six minutes away. A low stress, single vehicle trip of less than two hours means they could spend the day in Boston with the grand kids and then leave at 6:30 pm and be home before 8:30 pm.
Compare this trip to what it now takes: Current average drive time 4 hours 17 minutes. Flying at a discount rate would cost $98 not counting taxi fares and luggage fees. To get to the airport, check in, and go through security would make the trip take over 5 hours. The 8:03 AM, 2290 Acela Express train takes 3 hrs, 42 min arriving at Boston - South Station at 11:45 AM. There is a return train at 4:35 pm. Travel time 4 hrs, 15 min arriving at 8:50 pm. Round trip senior fare for one person $165.75 plus taxi fares.
It is doubtful this elderly couple would even make the trip with current travel options.
The new travel mode is expected to very disruptive as other modes of travel cannot compete. Very high traffic volumes can be expected with stations every 5 miles or so providing travel for both local and long distance commuters. Global warming is reduced nationwide as a by-product of switching to electric vehicles, potentially reducing the nations CO2 output by up to 30%.