Comments on: On the Efficiency of Trains http://www.vestaldesign.com/blog/2006/04/on-the-efficiency-of-trains/ A design blog with a particular emphasis on green design, design for society, and environmental technologies, Vestal Design Blog also discusses web design, product design, graphic design, and architecture. Sat, 18 Dec 2010 00:46:48 +0000 hourly 1 By: Anonymous http://www.vestaldesign.com/blog/2006/04/on-the-efficiency-of-trains/comment-page-1/#comment-754 Anonymous Tue, 25 Apr 2006 16:55:00 +0000 http://www.vestaldesign.com/blog/2006/04/22/on-the-efficiency-of-trains.html#comment-754 All this analysis ignores the fact that the train is a "sunk cost" as far as environmental impact is concerned. The train is going to run anyhow. If you take the train, the earth just sees the emissions of the train. If you take your car, the earth sees the emissions of the train AND the emissions of your car. Perhaps this is an argument for eliminating the train :( On the fuel effiency of bicycles: http://bicycleuniverse.info/transpo/beef.html All this analysis ignores the fact that the train is a “sunk cost” as far as environmental impact is concerned. The train is going to run anyhow. If you take the train, the earth just sees the emissions of the train. If you take your car, the earth sees the emissions of the train AND the emissions of your car. Perhaps this is an argument for eliminating the train :(

On the fuel effiency of bicycles:
http://bicycleuniverse.info/transpo/beef.html

]]> By: mike lin http://www.vestaldesign.com/blog/2006/04/on-the-efficiency-of-trains/comment-page-1/#comment-753 mike lin Tue, 25 Apr 2006 01:41:00 +0000 http://www.vestaldesign.com/blog/2006/04/22/on-the-efficiency-of-trains.html#comment-753 Wow, I had no idea that the moped actually came out better than a train... in terms of efficiency. But I suppose two-stroke mopeds still have emissions issues. ...I've seeing quite a few electric assist recumbent bikes around the SF area lately. I bet that'd squeeze in around walking or running. : ) Wow, I had no idea that the moped actually came out better than a train… in terms of efficiency.

But I suppose two-stroke mopeds still have emissions issues.

...I’ve seeing quite a few electric assist recumbent bikes around the SF area lately. I bet that’d squeeze in around walking or running. : )

]]> By: Bob http://www.vestaldesign.com/blog/2006/04/on-the-efficiency-of-trains/comment-page-1/#comment-752 Bob Sun, 23 Apr 2006 14:23:00 +0000 http://www.vestaldesign.com/blog/2006/04/22/on-the-efficiency-of-trains.html#comment-752 I love the train, but I never used it to save the earth--just to save myself money and hassle. And even the money argument doesn't work unless you are able to completely eliminate a car (as I was). So that's why I believe <a HREF="http://www.standpoint.com/claim.php?id=434" rel="nofollow">bicycles are the best form or transportation</A>; plus they actually are <a HREF="http://www.exploratorium.edu/cycling/images/efficeincy.gif" rel="nofollow">the most efficient way to get around</A>... I love the train, but I never used it to save the earth—just to save myself money and hassle. And even the money argument doesn’t work unless you are able to completely eliminate a car (as I was).

So that’s why I believe bicycles are the best form or transportation; plus they actually are the most efficient way to get around...

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