Should Cities Install Moving Sidewalks? 698
theodp writes "The real problem nowadays is how to move crowds,' said the manager of the failed Trottoir Roulant Rapide high-speed (9 km/h) people mover project. 'They can travel fast over long distances with the TGV (high-speed train) or airplanes, but not over short distances (under 1 km).' Slate's Tom Vanderbilt explores whether moving walkways might be viable for urban transportation. The first moving sidewalks were unveiled at Chicago's 1893 Columbian Exposition, and at one point seemed destined to supplant some subways, but never took root in cities for a variety of reasons. Vanderbilt turns to science fiction for inspiration, where 30 mph walkways put today's tortoise-like speed ranges of .5-.83 m/s to shame. In the meantime, Jerry Seinfeld will just have to learn to live with 'the people who get onto the moving walkway and just stand there. Like it's a ride.'"
Re:Obesity? (Score:5, Funny)
You say that like it's not what is happening... like.. now...
It's best not to generalize people. Everyone does that nowadays, geez.
Conspiracy (Score:5, Funny)
I heard that Shelbyville is getting them! (Score:1, Funny)
If Shelbyville is getting them, I think we should also. Damn the cost!
Consistent units? (Score:5, Funny)
30 mph walkways put today's tortoise-like speed ranges of .5-.83 m/s to shame.
Can't we at least get this in consistent units? For instance, "80,000 furlong per fortnight walkways put today's tortoise-like speed ranges of 3000-5000 furlongs per fortnight to shame".
Re:WAT (Score:5, Funny)
You seem lost. Here, let me help you:
http://digg.com/ [digg.com]
Re:escalators too (Score:3, Funny)
When I was riding the train there I kept having little old ladies ask me to carry their luggage for them up the stairs. I can't imagine what wheelchaired people do.
They tell the little old ladies "No."
Re:WAT (Score:4, Funny)
Did you remember to stick your thumb up your ass? You can't get first post unless you have your thumb up your ass. Try it, you'll see.
Re:WAT (Score:1, Funny)
Re:WAT (Score:3, Funny)
Wow. The level of depressing buzzword reliance just hurt my brain.
Remember: every time humanity comes up with an idiot-proof contraption, nature designs a better idiot.
Re:escalators too (Score:5, Funny)
Lemme guess. I'm modded "flamebait" because some fatass didn't like being called a lardass, right?
It's reality. The people using the walkway are going to be these people [peopleofwalmart.com]. Five feet may not even be wide enough in some cases.
Health Nuts (Score:5, Funny)
Simple solution - for all you health nuts that are complaining about obesity...just run on the thing backwards.
There, fixed that for ya.
Re:Obesity? (Score:3, Funny)
Well there's our solution to all our road durability issues: just make them all out of chewing gum!
Re:Segway (Score:3, Funny)
Re:escalators too (Score:4, Funny)
Yeah but cattle prods work pretty much everywhere.
Re:escalators too (Score:2, Funny)
Re:escalators too (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Obesity? (Score:1, Funny)