Will self-driving cars kill off the train? Autonomous vehicles will make
railways obsolete - even if new high speed routes are built, expert claims

     * Randal O’Toole, of the libertarian Cato Institute in Washington DC,
       thinks commuters will choose autonomous cars over high-speed trains
       in 2030
     * Technology is predicted to feature in lots of cars in the next 15
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     * He thinks such vehicles could be the death of the railways - even
       if billions of pounds are invested on faster lines across the world
     * His prediction makes arguably plans for HS2 and HS3 unappealing in
       the UK

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   The damning prediction comes at a time when governments around the
   world are planning on ploughing billions into high speed rail projects,
   such as HS2 in Britain.

   One US expert thinks the investments could be made in vain, because the
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   The widespread adoption of autonomous cars – which is predicted to
   happen in just 15 years’ time – could lead to the death of railways,
   one expert claims This is despite the expected roll-out of high speed
   rail networks such as HS2 in the UK. A hub station in Crewe is
   illustrated
   The widespread adoption of autonomous cars – which is predicted to
   happen in just 15 years’ time – could lead to the death of railways,
   one expert claims This is despite the expected roll-out of high speed
   rail networks such as HS2 in the UK. A hub station in Crewe is
   illustrated

   The widespread adoption of autonomous cars – which is predicted to
   happen in just 15 years’ time – could lead to the death of railways,
   one expert claims This is despite the expected roll-out of high speed
   rail networks such as HS2 in the UK. A hub station in Crewe is
   illustrated

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   Randal O’Toole, a Senior Fellow of the libertarian Cato Institute in
   Washington DC, says that they will offer a compelling alternative to
   high speed rail links for distances of 200 miles (322km), rendering
   some high speed train lines obsolete, Forbes reported.

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   One of the lines that could potentially be affected is the High-Speed 2
   (HS2). The line, which is in the planning stage, would run between
   London, Birmingham and Leeds and would cost £42.6billion
   ($68.6billion).

   Britain is not the only country with high speed rail ambitions. There
   are also plans for a high speed rail link in Australia stretching from
   Brisbane to Melbourne, which could cost $114 billionAUD (£62.5billion).
   It looks like the sort of cartoon car that Noddy might drive. But this
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   car will outweigh the speed of trains

...AS DAVID CAMERON BACKS HS3 RAIL LINK FOR NORTH OF ENGLAND

   The Prime Minister has backed plans for a high speed HS3 rail link in
   the north of England, the BBC reported.

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   is 'crucial' to its long-term economic plan for the north of England.

   The Indian government is said to be interested in building a high speed
   network, while the Central Japan Railway Company has been researching
   new high-speed rail systems based on magnetic levitation since the
   1970s, with plans to build a new route connecting Tokyo with Nagoya in
   2025.

   In Britain, HS2 would be completed in around 2030 if it goes ahead, and
   would therefore be competing with autonomous cars, Mr O’Toole said.

   While high speed trains could carry passengers at up to 250mph
   (402kph), they would still have to get to a station to begin their
   journey.
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   Mr O'Toole explained that in the travel industry, there is a general
   wisdom that there is a ‘sweet spot’ for distances, where high speed
   rail travel looks more compelling than flying and driving.

   It says that trips shorter than 100 miles (161km) are best made by car
   and more than 600 miles (966km) by aeroplane, leaving distances in
   between, perfect for high speed rail.

   But Mr O’Toole said: ‘I am dubious that such a sweet spot exists. Many
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   markings and traffic lights.
   Read more:
     * BBC News - David Cameron backs 'HS3' rail link for north of England
     * Self-Driving Cars Could Undermine British $80 Billion Rail Project
       - Forbes