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this post was submitted on 17 Jul 2023
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Fuck Cars
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Because in our current state with everything built around cars, creating a train system to accommodate it all is nearly impossible. Trains work great in a downtown, or centralized area. They are very difficult to build to accommodate our 1x1 grid system that cars use. Or at least that's my perception of it. Even if the system could be built, it'd have to be manned, it'd have to travel to certain areas at certain times to account for jobs. And it becomes increasingly unwieldy the more requirements you add to it. I wish things had built up along a sustainable train systems instead of cars, but placing a train system in to replace the decentralized nature that cars introduce is a monumental and perhaps untenable task.
It needs some sort of supergrid. Like every 2x2 you can go across and down but in the middle is a train line.
Then it justs needs high density near the stations and park and ride. If anything it's easier on a grid system it's harder on an old European style city where this is only one road winding though buildings.
That's the starting point and everything can go from there.
It isn't harder in an old european style city. It is just not possible without reclaiming space from cars. But that is impossible to imagine for car brains.
We built a nationwide train system in the early 1800s with labor that barely spoke English and it transformed the American frontier forever. It's not impossible- it's not even particularly hard.
Building a train system to connect a few cities across an undeveloped nation is infinitely easier than supplanting an established local road system. I'd go so far as to say replacing the current interstate system would be easier than replacing all local infrastructure that was built up around cars. Live outside a big city and see how communities and businesses are structured. Now think of the logistics involved in ensuring all of that continues to have access. Not to mention you have to convince the general population that they are going to have to walk a lot more and good luck convincing families with multiple children that have multiple places to be at nonstandard times.
It's just one of those areas that is incredibly hard to replace. Maybe it isn't impossible. And that'd be great. But beyond the hurdle of the task itself you have to find a way to get mental and community buy in. It can't be forced on everyone.
Surtaining car centric infrastructure is an impossible task. There is no counterpoint.