Elon Musk, a tech visionary and super-billionaire, appears to have solved the global problem of traffic congestion – he proposes building digging roads underneath existing roads and having cars slide along on “sleds” at speeds of up to 124 mph.
Citing an example of what sort of an impact such a transit system could have in urban areas, he cited the journey between Westwood and LAX Airport in Los Angeles as an example. Whereas it normally takes some 30 minutes to complete the journey in normal traffic, the car sleds would take just 5 to 6 minutes.
In Musk’s design, cars will connect to platforms, or sleds, that are linked to a roadway. They will then be lowered into a rabbit-warren of underground tunnels beneath a city’s streets, and whisked along to their destinations at high speeds - all under the careful watch of a centralized computer system.
Tests are already underway at Musk’s SpaceX facility in California, but a major drawback is the technology currently available in the tunnel boring sector. Tunnel boring machines of the present day are so slow – they’re capable of boring about 33 feet per day - that it would take years to dig an underground network beneath a city’s streets.
Other obstacles include the costs of mapping the geology, negotiating with city planners, and keeping the interests of those above ground at heart. When all of these things are considered, the whole thing starts to seem ridiculous, but on the other hand, the world has come a long way since the great engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, dug a tunnel beneath London’s River Thames after realizing that the last thing that the city needed was another bridge.
In addition, if there’s one thing that Elon Musk has that'll help solve a seemingly insurmountable problem, it’s cash - and truckloads of it. The thing is, the startup company he has set up specifically to figure out this problem, the Boring Company, is currently being staffed by interns and part-time workers. Their only goal at present is to get a tunnel boring machine to move faster than the company’s pet snail, named Gary.
Existing tunnel boring technology is so slow that Gary can actually move some 14 times faster than a tunnel boring machine can bore through rock. All of these things make this idea look really far-out, so it’s difficult to know how seriously to take Musk on this particular project.
He has even admitted that he and his team don’t really know what they’re doing, but with that being said, it’s tough not to feel enthusiastic about him sinking money and resources into a somewhat bonkers idea with a tiny hope of solving traffic congestion, which is the bane of our existence for many of us.
BONUS - Watch Elon Musk's idea in action:
Content and image source: Science Alert
This is How Our Bodies Will Evolve Over the Next 100 Years
Human evolution is often talked about like something that came to a halt centuries ago, but we’re always evolving. Here's how we'll evolve over the next century.
These Cases Were Cold... Until Science Cracked Them
Technology and science aren't always about the future. Take a look at these cold cases that were solved only thanks to the advances of science.
New Robots: This Robot Uses Both Wheels AND Legs
This robot can get just about anywhere in little time because it uses both wheels and legs to get over most hurdles.
Never Heard of Neural Network Art? Prepare to Be Astounded
If you've never seen neural network art before, then prepare to be utterly amazed!
4 Super Technologies That Started Off as Failed Inventions
Check out how some of the great technological inventions of our time actually started off as failed projects.
E-Waste Is a Real Problem. What Can We Do About It?
About 6.9 million metric tons of e-waste was produced in the US alone in 2019, out of which only 15% was recycled. How can we solve the growing e-waste problem?
The Bus-Train: A Game-Changer in Public Transportation
Hop aboard the 'Dual-Mode Vehicle (DMV)' – a bus that can transform into a train.
These Cars are Completely Bizarre and Hilarious!
From cars that look like other things to cars that look like they are about to fight zombies to cars that are half a motorcycle!
James Bond's Best 15 Cars, Boats and Planes!
James Bond is a movie icon, but the super-spy would not have been half as effective without his fleet of luxury vehicles armed with his signature gadgets.
10 Groundbreaking Cars that Changed the Auto Industry
There have been many innovative cars that have come to market over the decades, however these 10 cars were revolutionary. Take a look at these 10 game-changers.
What a $130 Million Car Collection Looks Like...
This British man sold an incredible collection of cars worth over $130m...
When People Messed With Their Cars… With Bizarre Results
Sometimes people make the weirdest modifications in their cars. Take a look.
Have You Ever Seen Cars as Weird as THESE?
These 25 cars are the strangest you have ever seen.
This Subway Train Has a Beautiful Secret Inside...
What looks like a regular subway from the outside, offers a suddenly luxurious experience inside!
The Germans Really Knew How to Build Fine Supercars...
The Germans are renowned the world over for their engineering, but sometimes they just go completely mad. Here are 11 of the most incredible German supercars.
These Ships Make Sure You Travel the Seas in Style
If you're a fan of travel, then you won't want to miss this video on the craziest cruise-ships ever made
These Cars from the 40s and 50s Are Still Beautiful to Me
These classic US Cars of the 40s and 50s will make you feel nostalgic.
The 10 Worst Jet Airplanes Ever to Fly...
From the farcical, to the catastrophic and downright dangerous, these are the 10 worst jet airplanes ever.
Only One Car Was Ever Named 'The Ghost'. This is Why...
This may look like some modern re-creation, but this plexiglass Pontiac 'ghost car' model was created in 1939...
These Remarkable Cars Broke the Land Speed Record!
Having broken the speed of sound, designers are developing a car designed to travel at 1000 mph. Here are the other cars that have broken the land speed record.
These Stunning Cars Were Sold at Unbelievable Prices
These classic cars are beautiful, but you need very deep pockets if you ever fancy getting hold of one of them.
Fixing a Car Has Never Been Easier Thanks to This Guide
Discover how to diagnose and fix 16 common car problems thanks to the awesome video guides.
15 of the World's Most Beautiful Historic Race Cars
These race cars weren't only effective on track, they also happen to be absolutely stunning to look at. Here are 15 of the most beautiful race cars ever.
Yikes! These Cars Are Truly The Worst Ever Made...
Some cars are a really a blot on the world's roads. From hideous styling, to pathetic performance and alarming safety, these 15 are the worst of the worst.
Behold the World's Most Expensive Cars, 2023 Edition
we have some incredible vehicles to show you. Are they worth the super-sized price tag? Only you can decide...
The Eighth Wonder: How the Panama Canal Works
The Panama Canal is an engineering wonder, see how it was built and how it works here
Working for Years, This Student Built Something Incredible
he following pictures showcase Luca's exceptional talent and the incredible model he built of a Boeing 777
Bugatti Veyron Vs. Euro Fighter Jet Plane: Who Wins?
2 of the fastest air and land vehicles collide to determine the grand champion of speed. Who will emerge victorious?
Exploring 5 of the Most Famous Pilots in History
The fascinating stories of men and women who dared to explore flight when it was still a young technology.
I Wish They Still Made Cars Like These Classic Hot Rods
Hot rodders spend their spare time fixing and transforming classic cars. See the stunning cars their dedication has produced.
14 Pics of Old Cars Being Restored To Their Original Glory
It’s so satisfying to see these classic cars being restored to their original glory.
I Have No Idea What These Drivers Were Thinking...
These crazy car drivers are off the chart wacky!
These Timeless Campervans Are Classics of Their Era
There is no greater sense of freedom than hitting the road in a campervan, and some people still prefer to ride in the old classics.
Takeoff to Touchdown: The Science of Flight Explained!
Ever wondered how do planes actually fly? This video explains it all in the simplest way possible.
Presenting 15 of the Biggest Airplanes Ever Built
These are the biggest and juiciest airplanes every piloted. I bet you'd love to ride on one of these beauties!
Days Of Future Past: 14 Bizarre Cars From Bygone Eras
These wacky retro car concepts are seriously so cool.
These Wonderful Cars Put Japan On the Automotive Map
Just because Japan took a while to catch up to the European manufacturers, it doesn't mean that they didn't produce some great cars along the way. Take a look.
Tupolev Tu-16: The Most Dangerous Soviet Passenger Plane
In the 1950s, the Soviet Union converted their popular bomber Tu-16 into a commercial airliner - a move they paid a heavy price for.
Each of These Rare Cars is More Beautiful Than the Last...
Each of these rare cars is more beautiful than the last.
10 of The Most Unusual Vehicles You Will Ever See
An odd or unusual vehicle stands out in the crowd. Here we look at some of the weirdest vehicles ever made.
Ancient Wheels: 15 of the Oldest Vehicles in Human History
Check out these amazingly cool retro automobiles.
24 Beautiful Vintage Cars That Make Me Pine for the Past
Who wouldn't love to ride these early motor cars?
These Gadgets Will Make Your Car a Lot More Fun
Wouldn’t it be awesome to have one of these cool car accessories?
Step Inside the Cockpits of These Amazing Planes
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to get behind the controls of some of the most exciting planes and helicopters ever built? Well wonder no more!
Some People Have the Strangest Cars...
Photos of some of the most bizarre automobiles you've ever seen.
We Bet You've Never Seen Cars Stranger Than These
These cars are undoubtedly the strangest cars that you have ever seen.
These Were the Fastest Production Cars Money Could Buy
Many records have been broken as part of man's relentless pursuit of more and more speed. Each of these 16 cars has held the production car speed record.