Energy Matters Forums

[scar59]

ANOTHER IDEA I HAVE SEEN THAT COULD POSSIBLY WORK IS A "CITY TOWER". IT IS A VERY LARGE BUILDING THAT TAKES UP SEVERAL CITY BLOCKS AS ONE BUILDING. HERE YOU LIVE, WORK, PLAY(RECREATIONAL AREAS) ALL IN THE ONE BUILDING WITH ITS OWN BUILT-IN TRANSPORT SYSTEM. YOU WOULD NOT NEED CARS OR ANYTHING.

[Gordon-Loomberah]

ANOTHER IDEA I HAVE SEEN...

Looks like you need a new keyboard, ie one that doesnt have its caps lock key stuck down.

[GeoffHammond]

My soap box has been crying out for some time about its lack of use...

There are a couple of very energy-efficient alternatives to cars that *could* *possibly* work - public transport and human-powered transport.

Problem with the first is that it is difficult for public transport to be effective enough and profitable enough to work. It would seem that there are not enough people who are prepared to subsidise public transport enough to make it work as it currently stands. People will always find reasons why they cannot make public transport work for them and so must have a car or three. (In the same way that there seems to be a growing number of big trucks roaming the highways and byways although their cargo could be reasonably transported via rail.) Reasons and excuses abound.

Human-powered transport would be a wonderful boost to the health of the populace if it were to become more widely adopted. But, people don't seem ready/willing/able to dedicate the time and effort to it. It may take too much time to ride your bike to work or the nearest train station, or your employer may not provide sufficient facilities for you to regain an acceptable workplace stance once you've arrived. It might just be that you're too effen lazy. Reasons and excuses abound.

People above a certain level of affluence (such as the vast majority of Australians) generally manage to do what they want to, but even more powerfully, manage to not do what they do not want to do.

You would think that more people would be able to see the economic benefit of not owning a car with a growing network of bike tracks, acceptable public transport and taxi systems and the increasing range of car rental options. (That you can now rent a small passenger car by the hour in Melb must offer plenty extra mobility). A friend of mine has done everything they need to in order to get rid of their car - and I reckon they could do so tomorrow and not notice any great impost. But, although they are probably the most likely of all my friends to take that option, they are still not sure they can do it.

For the record, I work where I live, but still manage to own two cars (as well as six other internal combustion engines). It's been nearly a week since I last rode a bike. PM me for my standard list of excuses.

[clean vw]

A little known fact is that LA was a public transit based city until the 30s, when a conglomerate of oil, tyre, and car companies bought and removed the entire public transport system, leaving the mess we now know to be LA. They were later fined $10,000 I think, but they caused more damage than that.

To save us looking this up, are you able to cite some relevant links to this ?

I think it would be interesting to read what has happened to others.

here some web sites
http://www.usc.edu/libraries/archives/l ... c/redcars/ the red cars I think was kill for the explosion of the car industry on the late 50's, we realy need eficient public transport on LA, if you try to toke the bus here just to get on the bus 20/40 min. and to have a 5 miles run at least 2 hrs because they stop at avery bus stop with or without people on the bench.. who have the time?
we have metro hare... but is 7 lines but very, very short ones, is not practical http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angele ... Metro_Rail , is ironic that mexico city have 12 lines of metro and they are huge http://www.metro.df.gob.mx/red/index.html#es I use to use that metro and is eficient transport, the city is not secure but the metro is eficient

[bpratt]

Thanks for the links.

I was surprised to see that the LA rail system is taking so long to develop properly.

Clearly a city of that size should really have a vastly superior public transport system than what it does.