The picture shows a proposed capsule pipeline for moving goods between cities. The most likely capsule pipelines to be built in the future will be for transporting goods. Why? Maybe it is easier to plan the transport of goods than plan the transport of people. (Picture source: Tubexpress)
Capsule pipelines have advantages over other types of transport. Here are seven advantages:
- They can make better use of energy than most other types of transport.
- They can use any type of energy source - they are not reliant on petrol or diesel to power their engines.
- They do not pollute the air they travel through.
- Pipelines can be built underground, which keeps the space above the ground for people and means people do not have to see or hear them.
- They can be very fast, maybe even faster than the fastest aeroplane - less time would be spent travelling.
- They can be controlled by computer, without the need for people to drive them - people can do other things instead.
- They are likely to be safer to use than roads.
So why are we not using them now? They cost a lot of money to build. A very large number would be needed to replace other types of transport.
Most people like the idea of capsule pipelines. Nobody can explain why. They sometimes appear in science fiction.
Some people believe they have a future. Some people believe they are just a 'pipe dream', an unattainable or fanciful hope or scheme.
Think about it...
Do capsule pipelines have a future, or are they a 'pipe dream'?
Are there any disadvantages to using capsule pipelines instead of other types of transport?
Think of all the journeys you make. If all the journeys were made by capsule pipeline, how many pipelines would need to be built? Where would they go to, and how long would they be?
Find out more
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