http://www.ubergizmo.com/2011/09/roads-tha...-as-they-drive/

Great technology but way too hard to implement. That's an infrastructure change that would be more comprehensive than anything we've ever done, because if that grid isn't available basically everywhere, people won't want to use the cars that rely on it. I imagine it'll sit on the back burner til some 3rd world developing country implements it and everyone goes "Holy shit it works!" and assuming economy is looking good at that point the government goes "Okay we're gonna spend the next few years reconstructing all the roads and phasing out gas powered vehicles"




Personally though, I'm looking forward to an auto pilot far more than easy access electric cars.

Or a more efficient electric generator. I have two concepts I'm working on that would revolutionize electric vehicles.

Great, now we have to watch out for the "Third Rail" while crossing the road...

Nah, the elements are buried under the surface and charge the car via magnetic induction. No electrocution.




-k

And what's the efficiency factor for such a system? Something like that of a steamer?

Where's the fun in that?

Well, you can be shocked when digging!

well there's already cars that can run on electricity or gas, so it would seem that you could just add the ability to take the electricity from the ground. Then in a city like San Francisco, implement it in some nicer neighborhood at first, where people are likely to have modern cars to take advantage of it. Basically though there's no reason you have to have just gas or just electricity, if you go half'n'half you can avoid that painful transition.

Of course this is all speculation, as the Oil Cartel will die before allowing such a thing to happen in America.

Another thing is that deploying this on a grand scale is the kind of "new deal" that various economies may need right now.

I think Hound is right.

I see this kind of thing more as a local setup, at least initially. Small states even, possibly, and even then you are going to either have to transition with 'hybrid' roads, and keep the old technology until the system is (nearly) universally implemented across a region or country.

Texas? Forget it, it would take us so much money and time to replace all our roads it's almost unimaginable. New roads would have to be usable with both technologies basically, for decades.

I do not think it will hit all roads, but it would reduce or remove the major complaint against electric only vehicles, that of long distance travel.

basically get it installed in one lane each direction at first, and mark it as such, then expand later on.

With Canada's extreme weather conditions, I really can't see it working here.

Can't even keep the potholes in check in our short repair season.

This is my concern. DoT budgets are pretty large already, and they let potholes grow to axle-breaking size on a regular basis. I can't imagine these systems being MORE durable than asphalt, let alone less expensive. Unlike most new technologies that have a hard time catching on, this isn't just a one-time switching cost, the ongoing maintenance is much more costly.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celebration,_Florida
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Villages,_Florida
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neighborhood_Electric_Vehicle

In addition to the above, there are large fleets that never leave a city. Government, utility, delivery, and other business vehicles frequently have no need to leave their local area. Locally (Omaha) a number of companies use natural gas vehicles, something that's easy to do since the vehicles remain local.

"In Omaha, MUD has built a fleet of 80 vehicles that run on natural gas. Omaha Metro has eight CNG-powered city buses. And Happy Cab, which owned by Mark and Lori Mitchell, has converted 50 of its taxicabs to operate on CNG. " - http://www.omaha.com/article/20110611/MONEY/706119860

No reason the same can't be done with the above proposal.

In my opinion it's more likely to be at first used to enable hybrid cars to drive on full electric mode in town - it has the advantage of lowering pollution, lots of electric power installed and shorter roads - and if it picks enough power to both run hte car and reload the batteries, you can have a partial coverage that saves costs.

Off town you'll rely on the thermic motor/generator for the ong range liaisons.

I really think Hydrogen is the way to go.

Just remind everyone *AFTER* they've signed and own the car about the Hindenburg and what it used to keep it aloft. People should drive really, really careful afterwards.