The future is self-driving cars
The concept of a California bullet train is an exciting and a great advancement in transportation -- 30 years ago. Aside from the ever-expanding costs and the proposed completion date of 2033, I'm sure the system will be obsolete and abandoned before it is finished.
While we are discussing the plusses and minuses of the system, all U.S., Asian and European auto manufacturers, and Google, are currently developing autonomous (self-driving) cars, with some scheduled for 2020 production. An autonomous Prius already has traveled more than 140,000 miles with speeds of more than 110 mph. Nevada has passed a law allowing autonomous cars on all state roads this year.
Maybe a better solution would be a dedicated freeway lane from San Diego to San Francisco for self-driving cars traveling at a high speed -- no new land purchases or trains to buy, etc. For electric and hybrid vehicles, a buried electrical induction cable could constantly charge the batteries. Just program in your destination and you are there in the privacy of your own car. By 2033, we can start discussing turning the unused HSR tracks into a bike path.
Marty Kessler
Bakersfield
