(06-06-2016 05:40 AM)CardFan1 Wrote: So what happens to the poor SOB that changes lanes just as that Bus gets ready to pass over Him ? What a field day a terrorist with a car bomb could have as it passes over head. What about overpasses that always are along expressway routes or the Semi trucks . Only a dedicated lane would be realistic in the U.S.
Yup. It looks nice in that simulated animation, but I doubt it would work well realistically. You'd need to restrict the roadway to vehicles under a certain height, and as you've mentioned, the route would have to be along roads with no overhead obstructions.
As for the poor SOB that changes lanes, or needs to make a right or left turn into an alleyway or whatever, accidents could be eliminated in a world with completely driver-less vehicles. But that's a story for another day.
I'm kinda surprised Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) isn't more popular in American cities. Buses are given their own right of way, that way vehicle congestion doesn't slow down the buses. Furthermore, above grade stations would be located throughout the city (similar to light rail), with platform level boarding, that way people boarding on or off the bus don't need to walk up stairs, reducing the amount of time the bus spends loading and unloading. Also similar to light rail, passengers pay their ridership fee and queue up in line prior to the bus arriving, further reducing wait times at stations. It can be just as efficient at moving people around a city as a light rail line for a fraction of the price.
Personally, I'm all for the construction of more underground subway lines (that's my job). However, many American cities cannot afford to make a ~$300 million/mile investment in underground heavy rail. BRT, for comparison, averages around $8 million/mile to implement.
https://www.itdp.org/library/standards-a...at-is-brt/
