Forgot your password?   Should Cities Install Moving Sidewalks?
698  Posted by timothy from the that-and-bicycle-elevators dept.
theodp writes "The real problem nowadays is how to move crowds,'
said the manager of the failed Trottoir Roulant Rapide high-
speed (9 km/h) people mover project. 'They can travel fast over
long distances with the TGV (high-speed train) or airplanes, but
not over short distances (under 1 km).' Slate's Tom Vanderbilt
explores whether moving walkways might be viable for urban
transportation. The first moving sidewalks were unveiled at
Chicago's 1893 Columbian Exposition, and at one point seemed
destined to supplant some subways, but never took root in cities
for a variety of reasons. Vanderbilt turns to science fiction
for inspiration, where 30 mph walkways put today's tortoise-like
speed ranges of .5-.83 m/s to shame. In the meantime, Jerry
Seinfeld will just have to learn to live with 'the people who
get onto the moving walkway and just stand there. Like it's a
ride.'"  "Argonaut" Oc