The Train Lane

   As technology advances we become more and more dependent on it and it seems like there could be a time in the near future where this will probably involve our transportation system. I'll try to explain my thoughts on how this could actually be a good thing for motorists as well as the system I foresee being constructed.

   We all know how things currently are on the interstate. It's a free for all fight for your life activity to get where you're going. It's dull to drive on these roads and potentially very dangerous. People die everyday in accidents due to all kinds of reasons including distractions, exhaustion and driver error. These three reasons are the focus of my point here as it pertains to why my idea for the Train Lane will likely be developed.

   If computer technology could advance far enough to provide a safe alternative to the difficulty faced by drivers on the Interstate we would see several improvements to our society. Two examples:

1> fewer accidents = computer control would eliminate many accidents

2> distractions = nearly everyone would rather be doing something other than driving their vehicle down the road. EX: listen to the radio, talk on the phone, work/play on a laptop or other device, watch TV, read a book, sleep etc.

   I'm not advocating total control to computers where vehicles are concerned, just part of the Interstate systems (at least to begin with initially), because I do think that there are many situations in our world where human control is still necessary (off-roads, busy city streets, neighborhoods, etc.) Let us drive where it's logical to do so, but transform the Interstates into an advanced roadbed for the future. It I think is the next logical step forward for mankind's transportation system.

   How it would work: What I foresee is what I call the Train Lane. I imagine it would be situated in the far left lane of the Interstate. What you would do is when you pull onto the Interstate and get up to matching speed with others you'd then activate Train Lane Navigation. Your vehicle would be taken over by computer and moved into the next available spot in the Train Lane. Once in a screen would pop up on your dashboard display where you program your path/destination by touch screen (this way you wouldn't be distracted for too long while still manually controlling your car/truck). When you reached your destination the computer would alert you to reenable manual control and leave the Interstate. You would deactivate Train Lane Navigation by pressing a button. Upon doing so the computer would move your vehicle out of the Train Lane safely and place it in cruise control at the speed limit whereupon you'd then take full control. While in the Train Lane you would be free to do whatever else you wished and not have your attention tied up with the bothersome chore of driving. Of course those who still wished to drive themselves, either because they weren't going very far anyway or they just rather would, can do so and drive along in the right hand lanes. This system is meant for and available to those who really need it: long-haul truckers and people having to drive a long distance in their cars being two of the primary reasons.
    I'm not sure if anyone else has also imagined the future in this way though I do know that many people and companies are designing transportation systems for what cities will need in the long term and as our technology becomes much more advanced. To this end I searched for a video of like-mind to what I envision and came up with the following. It is not exactly what I've described, but not too dissimilar.