How about high speed roller coasters, totally electric

[Jack Sprat]

Just for travel from the suburbs to the cities, sheltered roller coasters could deliver commuters without any gas at all. They could be erected some 200 ft in the air, so as not to interfere with road and pedestrian travel. Whenever it approached a pickup stop, it could race in a big descent and give everyone aboard a breath-taking scream. Then, it would begin a slow ascent back to 200 feet where it would begin a series of breath taking turns, dips, and loops before a big hurtling fall towards the next ground level pickup. These could be placed all over a city without getting in the way of anything at ground level. Think of the fantastic Space Mountain type of solution this would have for energy savings. It would amount to having Disney World for a commuter system delivering commuters to every part of the cities and suburbs. The city metros would have people buying tickets, even when they just wanted entertainment. Every city in the U.S. would be serviced by roller coaster metros, with names like "Wild Mouse Metro" or "Space Mountain Matador Metro".

This next 8 years should be innovative with "out of the box" ideas for solving problems. This is just one of mine, and I have some more.

[panader0]

1. As long as I don't spill my beverage in one of the loops.

[grasswire]

2. ingenious

I love the idea. It sounds a bit like Gene Wilder ought to be manning the controls.

[Jack Sprat]

4. It would be fantastic...and a money maker for cash-strapped

cities and counties. The cars would be covered to shield from rain and thunderstorms, but otherwise these could run all day all over town. Mostly they would be side vented, so air conditioning wouldn't even be needed. The cars could be built for little cost. Comfortable seats with security harnesses, but little cost beyond that. Mostly like any coaster car at Six Flags, but with hard plastic roofs and awnings for blowing rains.

As was said so often by Howard Hughes, "it's the way of the future."

[DemzRock]

3. Someone should invent a train-like thing! haha nt

[Jack Sprat]

8. Thinking about that, too. Compressed air instead of

electric propulsion for attaining height. Then, once the train starts a big momentum, just let it fly along until it needs more propulsion. It would occasionally need to fire some rockets for some rapid ascents, but the dramatic descents might reach speeds of 200mph. Then, again, we could add some nuclear propulsion if we want to get into the mach 1 speeds in wide open country.

[kayakjohnny]

5. Think of all the new jobs created in the hurl clean-up industry as well.

No to mention the panhandlers that wouldn't have to beg for loose change. And the chiropractors. My god...it's a win-win!

[Jack Sprat]

6. It could happen. Why not? I cannot think of a downside.

Really bad electrical storms would be the only halt in traffic. Otherwise, you would have these things delivering excited passengers everywhere. Electrical monitors separating distance between roller coasters might take the thrill off some rides, but the dips, loops, and supercharged directional changes are all going to make up for any slight delays up ahead.

[kayakjohnny]

7. Plus, people will show up to work enthused and energized .

And with a new appreciation for life, having just survived a 200 ft. free fall.

[Jack Sprat]

10. Believe it or not, I saw an jet leave Honolulu

on a short trip when the upper cabin blew off. Back in the 90s. Somehow, the pilot managed to bring the plane back to the runway safely, but you know those passengers had the ride of their lives strapped in a big jet airliner without a roof on it. They looked ashen when they deboarded. It got their adrenaline up, I'm certain.

[kayakjohnny]

11. And a few also died if I remember. There were some nasty pics of the fuselage.

So...maybe not the best example for your case.

[kayakjohnny]

12. Here...

[Jack Sprat]

13. No, bad example for sure. Didn't remember that there were

fatalities at all. No. Horrible example.

What I am suggesting would be on a track.

[kayakjohnny]

14. Oh. OK. Cool then. No prob. Sorry.

[Jack Sprat]

15. kayak, that is only partially on a track. doesn't count. n/t

[kayakjohnny]

17. Ha! funny one....

[WillowTree]

9. ".......sheltered roller coasters could deliver commuters without any gas at all."

Yeah. It could also serve to deliver commuters without any remaining breakfast at all, too.

Nice show of inovative thinking and all that, but at 7:30 AM that would score real high on my Hell-No-O-Meter.

[Doctor Cynic]

16. I'd invest in Pepto Bismol as well.

[grasswire]

18. please, please share your other ideas

You have made our dinner at this house very fun, talking about your roller coaster.

[A HERETIC I AM]

19. I've got an idea for saving time making tuna salad...

feed mayonnaise directly to the tuna.

Credit to Michael Keaton in the 1982 movie "Night Shift"

[canetoad]

20. Good idea

As long as the commuters wore brown corduroy trousers.

[muriel_volestrangler]

21. Different idea: everyone works in skyscrapers, and works their way up through the day

Like your roller coaster, they start off from the suburbs at 200ft up (you build your city centres in valleys, and the suburbs on the valley sides); they carry with them an individual wheeled bobsled, and ride in it down to their place of work. There, they work in an office, shop etc. at or near the ground floor, and, every hour, when it's a good, healthy thing to take a break, they pick up the bobsled, their laptop etc. and walk up a few flights to a new office. By the end of the day, they've gained enough height (400 feet) to be able to coast back down to their home, while having plenty of gentle exercise, spread out through the day.

What could possibly be wrong with that?

[madokie]

22. I want some of that

what ever it is that caused you to think this one up. :-)