Vision

Soon

Sections of current Interstate Highway would be designated as managed Right-Of-Way and any vehicle (electric of fossil fuel) that implements the required interfaces would be allowed to join managed chains. Users would simply utilize an app on their phone to indicate the vehicle they are driving and a destination that is in range of their vehicle. Once the HMS (Hub Management System) detects the presence of the vehicle, vehicle control would shift to the HMS and it would be moved into close proximity with other vehicles headed for the same destination. Once an optimal size chain is created the chain would move into the next opening in the managed right-of-way and accelerate to the approved speed for the given segment. Upon entering the managed segment, control of the vehicle would be the responsibility of the SMS (Segment Management System) Speeds of up to 85 to 95 mph would be common.

Some Years From Now

All new passenger vehicles would implement current interfaces. Electrified rail and highway right-of-way segments would begin to appear. Speeds of 150 mph would be common. In addition to electrification, retainment technology would begin to make an appearance. All major cities being served with some managed segments. Dedicated Hubs and Yards would appear. Vehicles would be equipped with coupling devices and be capable of utilizing retainment technology allowing for increased speed, safety, efficiency, and load density. Reasonability availability of compliant vehicles acting as host for non-compliant vehicles. Host vehicles utilizing rapidly swappable batteries would be common on non-electrified segments. Container freight would become a major user of the system. Passenger cabins would begin to appear and supplement current bus, train, and air capacity.

Eventually

The majority of intercity traffic will be moving at high speed on an electrified efficient right-of way, in managed chains of vehicles. Freight containers, fossil fuel powered vehicles, passenger cabins, and any vehicle of appropriate size not implementing all required interfaces would be mounted on electric host vehicles that meet all requirements of the right-of way. Speeds should be approaching 200 mph.

What do you do when you approach an obstruction like a city? Just go under it. The Boring Company, owned by Sir Midas, is currently boring tunnels under Las Vegas for $10 million a mile. Quite a bargain considering the cost of adding just one lane to an Interstate within the city limits. And when you consider the capacity of a lane dedicated to high speed, high density managed vehicle chains, it is a no brainer.

And if 600 miles per hour sounds good, The Boring Company has been testing Hyper Tunnels (low atmospheric pressure) since 2016. Although a standard freight container will just squeeze through his current tunnels, and Musk has a novel approach to handle wind resistance in his tunnels, the vehicles require a special design and that excludes all but specially designed vehicles, at least for now. Perhaps a future larger tunnel will be able to accommodate common containers and the requirements of a Hyper Tunnel.