Americans need to quit whining!!!

[HuskerWeatherman]

Concerning "cars per 1000 people," list here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...les_per_capita

A related issue is the urban sprawl concept of the United States. The desire to have a bigger house and own more land -- and doing so by moving farther and farther outside the city limits. As a result, we rely on cars more -- and put more miles on them.

Yes, a greater percentage of Europeans are more than happy living within the city... oftentimes, in very small flats and minus any land of their own. In the U.S., this tends to be for either the very rich or the very poor. So yes, the middle class does "need" their cars as a result (well, and other other classes as well).

Again, it would take a change in mindset. We are a much more materialistic society than the rest of the world. Wanting our cars, big houses, big yards, boats, etc.

I would love to see a massive, extensive, efficient, reliable mass transit system in our country -- but it's not going to come easy -- and not going to happen without some sacrifice, I'm guessing.

[RedPhoenix]

Amen.

It would be more practical for him to rent a truck on the limited occasions he chooses to use the camper.

[Red_in_Blue_Land]

Another angle... the environment issue:



More at the link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/27/sc...pagewanted=all

I think that link is funny, emissions requirements for US vehicles are tighter and harder to meet than EU regulations and sitting at stop lights for extended periods of time is one of the worst things you can do for fuel economy and environmental impact.

Think about it, to drive from point A to point B when you are moving uses approximately the same amount of fuel, but if you sit an idle for extended periods of time, that is wasted fuel and environmental emissions due to the extra time your vehicle runs.

[huskrthill]

We can regenerate human body parts and organs. It is more than impressive.

And yet a simple aspirin is still a wonder drug, and most of America is fat. Very impressive.

[Red_in_Blue_Land]

We can regenerate human body parts and organs. It is more than impressive.

We have been able to regenerate a car for over 100 years.

[Squatchsker]

All I know is that 2 years ago I bought a 2006 Saturn Ion as a daily driver. Doing the quick math, I have almost paid for it with the funds saved in fuel. Do I love driving my truck, HELL YES. But I also recognize that it is not viable. Neither ecenomically nor with any thought of being concientious towards economy of resources. The only reason I keep my truck is for working on our properties, and if we didnt have them I would probably sell it. God that hurt to say.

[RockyMountainRed]

I just picked up a mega gas guzzling toy 3 weeks ago. And it is very thirsty. But the fun factor is worth it. But as some have stated, my choice. I won't complain about gas..just yet.

Ok, back to my new toy! A well preserved 1993 Z-28 Camaro. 6 speed. Rebuilt 350. Supercharger. $25k in receipts. Paid $8500. 460+ crank horsepower and 465+ crank torque. I love me some America!!!

[Squatchsker]

And yet a simple aspirin is still a wonder drug, and most of America is fat. Very impressive.

We are fat because of drive thru's. See, I brought it all back to us lazy daily drivers. Pass the gravy

[Red_in_Blue_Land]

Is that because of the added cost of refining, the cost of material, or the costs of changeover to infrastructure to supply said fuel?

No, biomass refining is a very energy intensive process which costs money.
Feedstock materials are actually less expensive and the infrastructure already exists, remember your end product is a liquid just like current fuel and can easily flow down the same pipe.

[huskheartguy]

I disagree. The engineering that has gone into these advanced engines is pretty impressive. If consumers were willing to accept smaller cars and 90-100 bhp again, we'd likely see vehicles averaging well over 60 mpg. And we'd be getting it out of engines that were 30-50% smaller than they were 20 years ago.

We've even seen significant leaps in just the last decade. When Chevy stopped production of the Camaro in 2002, the base model had a 3.8L engine that produced 200 hp. The base model 2012 Camaro has a slightly smaller engine (3.6L) that produces 323 bhp. That's an improvement over 60% in power from a smaller engine... and it still gets slightly better gas mileage than the 2002 model (28 hwy for 2002 compared to 29 hwy for the 2012).

It's what the consumer wants.

Im sorry but I don't see why my truck can't get 20 mpg city.

[FLA4NEB]

Trains are a step back. China is blowing loads of money on HSR and they are now realizing it is a losing proposition.

If you want trains to work we are going to have to do some major reworking of the national infrastructure. Most of you are going to have to move out of your homes and into dense neighborhoods with lots of multi family homes (most likely low rises). Forget about your back yard, forget the front yard, get use to someone living above you or below you, down the hall from you. The cost of HSR is way more than just putting tracks and buy trains to run on them.

Trains are so last century...what we need is PRT (personal rapid transport). I suggest electric self driving vehicles that can make use of our infrastructure, gives us a lot of flexibility (compared to the fixed infrastructure of the train, and improve air travel options (which is much faster and fuel efficient than trains).

[Squatchsker]

No, biomass refining is a very energy intensive process which costs money.
Feedstock materials are actually less expensive and the infrastructure already exists, remember your end product is a liquid just like current fuel and can easily flow down the same pipe.

Thanks for the info. So when the day comes it really wont be too hard to switch over. I guess now it is all in the hands of the lobbyists and the CEO's

[RedPhoenix]

And yet a simple aspirin is still a wonder drug, and most of America is fat. Very impressive.

I agree it is very impressive. Technology is also equally impressive. I don't think anyone here has stated that medicine has fixed everything as you seem to want to imply. But to deny the enormous advancements in the medical field is to deny reality. From nano technology, organ regeneration, and designer drugs specifically matched to each persons biology the advancements in medicine are nothing short of amazing.

For a car to get 5mpg better gas mileage while producing slightly more horsepower, is at best a "meh" in comparison.

[RedPhoenix]

We have been able to regenerate a car for over 100 years.

Im sure you understand the apple v oranges nature of your post and that you posted it entirely in jest. It gave me a good chuckle and for that I say thank you.

[RedPhoenix]

Trains are a step back. China is blowing loads of money on HSR and they are now realizing it is a losing proposition.

If you want trains to work we are going to have to do some major reworking of the national infrastructure. Most of you are going to have to move out of your homes and into dense neighborhoods with lots of multi family homes (most likely low rises). Forget about your back yard, forget the front yard, get use to someone living above you or below you, down the hall from you. The cost of HSR is way more than just putting tracks and buy trains to run on them.

Trains are so last century...what we need is PRT (personal rapid transport). I suggest electric self driving vehicles that can make use of our infrastructure, gives us a lot of flexibility (compared to the fixed infrastructure of the train, and improve air travel options (which is much faster and fuel efficient than trains).

I tend to agree with your overall theory. If cars were used more like data in a network imagine the possibilities.

[Red_in_Blue_Land]

Concerning "cars per 1000 people," list here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...les_per_capita

A related issue is the urban sprawl concept of the United States. The desire to have a bigger house and own more land -- and doing so by moving farther and farther outside the city limits. As a result, we rely on cars more -- and put more miles on them.

Yes, a greater percentage of Europeans are more than happy living within the city... oftentimes, in very small flats and minus any land of their own. In the U.S., this tends to be for either the very rich or the very poor. So yes, the middle class does "need" their cars as a result (well, and other other classes as well).

Again, it would take a change in mindset. We are a much more materialistic society than the rest of the world. Wanting our cars, big houses, big yards, boats, etc.

I would love to see a massive, extensive, efficient, reliable mass transit system in our country -- but it's not going to come easy -- and not going to happen without some sacrifice, I'm guessing.

This is the wiki link showing total vehicles in EU vs. US, again the population density causes this bit of a paradox where there are more vehicles in the EU, but less / 1000 people.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor_vehicle

As far as the bolded part, most Europeans that I have worked with on International assignments in the company I work for really like low fuel prices and houses on property outside of city limits.

[huskrthill]

Im sorry but I don't see why my truck can't get 20 mpg city.

It probably could if you were willing to sacrifice the power gains over the years. An extended cab 4WD Chevy pickup in 1990 only put out 160 bhp and got 16 mpg in the city. The diesel engine available at the time only produced 135 bhp and also got 16 mpg.

The 2012 Avalanche engine produces 320 bhp (double that of the 1990 gasoline and almost 140% more than the 1990 diesel) and gets a comparable 15 mpg in the city.

I'm not criticizing you for owning an Avalanche, but there are plenty of vehicles that are capable of towing your camper that get much better gas mileage.

[Big Red Rick]

Sounds good...I've been saying for a few years now that we, america, are missing the boat on high speed rail systems...I would love to see a true high speed continuous continental rail system...this could provide a few hundred thousands jobs as well too right?

Could you imagine if America was the leader of a high speed rail system that could serve from southern south America all the way to Alaska?

We need something, like we had with the industrial revolution, to put us ahead if the rest of the world again and maybe some sort of nuclear driven, ground transportation system could be it. Just a thought.

If there was any money in it, don't you think a private company would have developed it? Amtra-never mind...

Looking for that private ownership? How about... France? Nope, high-speed rails are ran/owned/funded by their government:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SNCF

Hong Kong? MTR Corp, with the majority shareholder being the government:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MTR_Corporation

Luxembourg? - Government
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemins...Luxembourgeois

Lithuania? - Government
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuanian_Railways

Macedonia? - Government
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makedonski_Zeleznici

Holland? - Government
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nederlandse_Spoorwegen

Russia? - Government
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RZhD

Turkey? - Government
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_State_Railways

Brazil? - Government (now out of business)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RFFSA

Venezuela? - Government
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institu...les_del_Estado

Cameroon? - Private
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camrail

Egypt? - Government
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_Railways

Just a few examples. The point is, people here like their freedom and aren't content to be stuck on a rail. What if there is a train wreck, and you still have 20 miles to the next stop, where you need to get off for work?

[Red_in_Blue_Land]

Im sorry but I don't see why my truck can't get 20 mpg city.

Put a diesel in it and we can, I would bet from an avalanche we could get about 24 city.
Ford has a 3.5L V6 that makes more HP than a V-8, but more efficiently and can pull your trailer.
http://www.truckinweb.com/features/1..._v6/index.html

[huskrthill]

I agree it is very impressive. Technology is also equally impressive. I don't think anyone here has stated that medicine has fixed everything as you seem to want to imply. But to deny the enormous advancements in the medical field is to deny reality. From nano technology, organ regeneration, and designer drugs specifically matched to each persons biology the advancements in medicine are nothing short of amazing.

For a car to get 5mpg better gas mileage while producing slightly more horsepower, is at best a "meh" in comparison.

I don't disagree that medicine and technology have developed at a rapid pace, but I also think that automotive engineering has been pretty impressive as well. The science of it is pretty impressive.