One of my all-time favourite quotes and most definitely my number one Albert Einstein quote is – “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.” as those close to me can speedily attest to. And the reason I bring this up is because in my time (could be either short or long to inquirers, it’s all a matter of perspective *winks) thus far on earth, I’ve seen things that were or would in fact be considered science fiction now existing in actual reality today – which is why I rarely underestimate movies and the futuristic ideas explored in them; no matter how widely unreasonable or elusive they might seem.

Also, it’s in our nature as humans to expediently explore faster means of executing our day to day activities even if that ends up leading to our detriment – “we aite” and “we gucci”, as long as we achieved it faster. There has however been a recrudescence of a conscious reawakening to the perils of ignoring our dear planet, hence – the current revolution to decarbonise, urgently. And with that in mind, the future of road transportation most especially, strongly tilts towards “greener” and “sustainable”: https://www.forbes.com/sites/marshallshepherd/2021/05/25/what-is-environmental-sustainabilitya-primer/?sh=376822d31234 models.

Let’s take a look at a few of those technologies, shall we‽

1. Hyperloop: Revolutionising Travel
Imagine travelling at near-supersonic speeds in a pod through a low-pressure tube. That’s the promise of the Hyperloop, a futuristic transportation concept that aims to propel passengers at speeds exceeding 600 mph (966 km/hr) made popular in 2013 by the usual suspect – Elon Musk (yeah, you probably guessed right). By minimising air resistance and utilising Magnetic Levitation (Maglev) technology, Hyperloop systems could potentially reduce travel times between major cities to mere minutes, revolutionising long-distance commuting and intercity travel as seen in this short clip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5fOWB6SNqs

It is hoped that Hyperloop systems would help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions associated with air travel and road transportation as operating in a low-pressure (air is regularly sucked out of the tube therefore less resistance, just watch the clip) environment would mean lesser energy consumption and this in turn would have a huge impact on the environment.

Another idea albeit not exactly Hyperloop but which I think of whenever the subject arises is the one that was displayed in the remake of movie Total Recall (2012) – where humanity had successfully built an intercontinental transportation system around the earth’s core that was so fast it took only 17 minutes to get to Australia from the UK. You can see the exterior of the tram from this short clip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzzijuZof1w&list=PLZbXA4lyCtqo6j43FtC-uUjMS4vDGtSr1&index=8 from 00:53. I remember science/physics based accounts nitpicking the entire premise, how it couldn’t be justified scientifically but as mentioned earlier – no one really knows what the future holds! Anything and everything that’s deemed “impossible” today might only well be beyond our current level of reasoning and just might end up being a “normal” concept or activity tomorrow, just as with the miracle/normality of cell-phones these days.

2. Maglev Trains: Floating on Magnetic Fields
Magnetic Levitation (Maglev) trains are another marvel of modern engineering and as mentioned previously – it’s also the technology behind the Hyperloop as well.

Instead of relying on traditional wheels and tracks, these trains use powerful magnets to float above the guideway, eliminating friction and allowing for incredibly high speeds. Currently operational in countries like Japan, Germany, and high-speed iterations already being deployed in China:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBCdFTVPQKg; Maglev trains can reach speeds of over 300 mph (482 km/hr), offering a smooth and efficient travel experience – ideal for connecting urban centres.

3. High-Speed Rail: Combining Speed and Sustainability
High-speed rail (HSR) networks have been rapidly expanding across the globe, providing an eco-friendly alternative to air travel for medium-distance journeys. With top speeds approaching 200 mph (322 km/hr) in countries like France, Spain, and Japan, these trains offer a balance of speed, comfort, and environmental sustainability. High-speed rail not only reduces travel times but also alleviates traffic congestion and lowers carbon emissions, making it a preferred choice for both commuters and leisure travelers.

4. Underground Tunnels: Boring, Not Boring
I couldn’t help myself, pun fully intended (*winks). Again, the brainchild of Elon Musk who proposed that mini-tunnels could be built underground a city to help minimise and alleviate road traffic.

The Vegas Loop:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djfYafWFWtk is up and running underneath the Las Vegas Convention Center. You can only ride in Teslas for now though, Model X’s to be precise and they don’t exceed the speed of 35 mph (56km/hr). The original idea is more expansive than what’s currently on offer but the infrastructure isn’t as easy to come by. There are also whispers (to which Musk himself has said – “Maybe”) around the tunnels being an experiment by Elon that might eventually be replicated on Mars via his SpaceX program where the plan is to establish human colonies there.

5. Personal Rapid Transit (PRT): Customised Commuting Solutions
For urban environments seeking to decrease congestion and provide personalised transportation options, Personal Rapid Transit (PRT): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_rapid_transit systems offer a promising solution. PRT utilises small autonomous vehicles that hold 3 to 6 (could be more) passengers on dedicated guideways, allowing passengers to travel directly to their destination without intermediate stops. While currently implemented in limited locations like the Heathrow Airport:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0y9ajVIZzs in London for example, PRT does holds enormous potential for transforming urban mobility by combining the convenience of private vehicles with the efficiency of public transit. The future of PRT systems lie in the pods becoming fully autonomous outside their dedicated guideways and perhaps developing the capability of being airlifted and safely conveying person(s) to say the suburbs from a major “busy” city centre.

Embracing the Future of Mobility
As technology continues to advance so also will our ability to travel faster and more comfortably – it sure does look increasingly promising. The evolution of fast forms of road transportation will undoubtedly reshape how we move within and between cities in the future. Whether you’re commuting to work, embarking on a cross-country journey, or exploring new destinations, these fast transportation options offer exciting possibilities for enhancing both the speed and quality of our travels.

From revolutionary concepts like the hyperloop to practical solutions such as high-speed rail and electric vehicles, each innovation hopefully will contribute greatly to a more interconnected, efficient, and sustainable transportation ecosystem with reduced impact on our environment.

https://autohub.ng/blog/faster-forms-of-road-transportation-in-future/