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bugi_ t1_iy7fkbf wrote

Reply to comment by yogert909 in ELI5 How do slipstreams work? by Da_Dokta

How is it less complicated? We need new technology for that to happen. On the other hand we have trains right now. Tested and ready to go. There are all kinds of safety issues with having those trucks on public roads with other traffic which might mean they don't get approval any time soon.

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yogert909 t1_iy8bprk wrote

Rail is complicated for different reasons. Technology isn’t the problem with rail. It’s the cost, getting the right of way, nimbyism, politics, environmental, and so on.

Have you ever seen a rail line built? They’ve been building a light rail line near my house since before I moved in 12 years ago and it’s not scheduled to finish for another 2 years. Funding and engineering went on for years before that.

Whatever new tech we need to get the trucks following each other will be done before this rail line. I think the technology is pretty close already. My wife’s 2016 Subaru has adaptive cruise control and lane assist which seems like enough to draft a semi.

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