Image transcript:

Calvin (from Calvin & Hobbes) sitting at a lemonade stand, smiling, with a sign that reads, “Trains and micromobility are inevitably the future of urban transportation, whether society wants it or not. CHANGE MY MIND.”

  • @uisEnglish
    7•1 year ago

    Trains themselves aren’t a one-size fits all solution as there are various types that each need their own form of investment (which is a lot $)

    Trains(international and intercity), metro(across the city) and trams(across the city) - all of them use same wheels. They are not that different.

    when roads are compatible with both personal transport

    *(here personal transport excludes everything that is not a car)

    and large trucks with little investment by the transporter (govt pays for road maintenance).

    Maintanance is most expensive part of car infrastructure. At least between those that directly paid.

    • @[email protected]English
      5•1 year ago

      Wheels are 100% different on Heavy Rail, Metros and Light Rails.

      In addition to that all 3 have different requirements for curves, runout and grades.

      Source: my employer makes all 3.

      • @uisEnglish
        1•1 year ago

        Wheels mostly not. Though bogies for LR and everything else are very different.

        And by wheel I mean steel disc, not breaking system, not suspension, not everything else.

        • @[email protected]English
          1•1 year ago

          A lot of light rail uses resilient wheels and heavy rail does not.

          Wheel profiles (the shape of the part that actually touches the rail) are also very different between different categories.

          • @uisEnglish
            1•1 year ago

            Huh. Today I learned.

    • Cosmic ClericEnglish
      1•1 year ago

      Metrolink in California does really well though, even with everything you described above.

      Metrolink, and the subway system in Los Angeles, shows that it is doable and within cost.