Probably only electric cars will be allowed on the sleds
Quote from: QuantumG on 10/23/2017 01:26 amAny information on the Hawthorne boring? Wondering if they're going to connect to the docks...The last document I saw on NSF that was from the city of Hawthorne showed the tunnel only running down below W 120th Street and terminating at an existing parking lot along 120th.
Any information on the Hawthorne boring? Wondering if they're going to connect to the docks...
I kept waiting for someone on the council to ask about the ultimate disposition of the tunnel. When they are done with their testing, will it be converted to some other useful purpose. If not, will it be backfilled, or will it simply be abandoned in place, and is TBC committing to maintain it in perpetuity? But no such questions were asked.Do we know if the ultimate disposition of the tunnel was subsequently addressed?
6. Backfilling Upon Abandonment and Termination of Easement.TBC shall diligently backfill the tunnel portion of the Improvements with cement slurry or clean imported soil to 90% compaction in the event the tunnel is abandoned by TBC, ceases to be used for testing or other authorized purposes for a continuous period of two years, or in the event that TBC or its successor in interest declares bankruptcy and is required to liquidate its assets. The backfilling work shall be completed within one year of the occurrence of any of the events specified in this Section. Upon completion of the backfilling work, as verified by the City Engineer, the Easement granted by this Agreement shall automatically terminate and be of no further force and effect, except that certain provisions contained herein shall survive the termination as specified herein.
Quote from: rsdavis9 on 10/21/2017 11:51 amProbably only electric cars will be allowed on the sledsIt will be a number of years before fully electric cars make up a significant percentage of the fleet (not just of sales).
Quote from: jpo234 on 10/23/2017 05:13 amQuote from: rsdavis9 on 10/21/2017 11:51 amProbably only electric cars will be allowed on the sledsIt will be a number of years before fully electric cars make up a significant percentage of the fleet (not just of sales).I was wondering about that too. How would an ICE car keep its HVAC operational without running the engine?
There could be skates designed to support ICE vehicles and provide external services (i.e. HVAC). Those would be called ... wait for it... ICE skates.
Quote from: garcianc on 10/26/2017 03:03 amThere could be skates designed to support ICE vehicles and provide external services (i.e. HVAC). Those would be called ... wait for it... ICE skates.If it's Elon's tunnel, only electric cars will be allowed. And I wouldn't be surprised if only Tesla cars were allowed on them to begin with because of "interface" requirements.Regarding Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) cars, that just seems like they would be added complications, and would take longer to certify - as it is lithium batteries are already a fire hazard.
The only way TBC gets paid back for these tunnels so far is charging tolls.
Quote from: Coastal Ron on 10/26/2017 03:11 amQuote from: garcianc on 10/26/2017 03:03 amThere could be skates designed to support ICE vehicles and provide external services (i.e. HVAC). Those would be called ... wait for it... ICE skates.If it's Elon's tunnel, only electric cars will be allowed. And I wouldn't be surprised if only Tesla cars were allowed on them to begin with because of "interface" requirements.Regarding Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) cars, that just seems like they would be added complications, and would take longer to certify - as it is lithium batteries are already a fire hazard.I would think, since the tunnel system provides the transport and since the tunnel HAS to be ventilated (this is not an option - it’s not just combustion byproducts that drive this requirement), the transported vehicles’ ICE will be required to be off. It would be foolish to design a system that is motor biased (size restricted sure, but not based on motor).
A second set of issues presented by the Application is the division of regulatory authority between the Commission and Federal agencies with respect to the construction and operation of the proposed MAGLEV line. The Applicant essentially takes the position that the Commission’s only role in this process is to decide whether or not to allow BWR to acquire the franchise. Beyond this function, the Application states that jurisdiction over the construction of the line and its operation is vested exclusively in Federal agencies, particularly the Surface Transportation Board (“STB”)(siting, construction, rates and service) and the Federal Railroad Administration (“FRA”)(safety). In general, Staff must concur with this opinion, since the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act vested the STB with exclusive jurisdiction over the construction and operation of railroads. However, there is a significant carve out of jurisdiction remaining with the states, which is their ability to determine whether to delegate their eminent domain authority to a federally authorized railroad, and to determine if doing so serves the public convenience and necessity of the state’s residents.§ 9-303(b) of the PUA authorizes a Maryland railroad company to condemn property needed for the construction of its facilities. The need for a delegation of the state’s eminent domain authority is likely one of the primary reasons why BWR filed the instant Application, since the Commission’s authorization to exercise a franchise is a necessary precondition for a Company to be considered a public service company. The Applicant admits this requirement in the Application. Staff does not believe it would serve the public interest and necessity to delegate eminent domain condemnation authority to BWR without some concession of continuing Commission jurisdiction by the Applicant.In proceedings before the STB to determine whether and how the proposed MAGLEV line is constructed, the Commission and other interested Maryland state agencies will have the right to take part and provide their opinions. The STB is fully competent within its regulatory jurisdiction, and proceedings there are likely to be sufficient to ensure that Maryland’s interests are adequately protected. Nonetheless, the authorization to exercise a Maryland franchise is a privilege which the Commission may revoke, as well as confer, if the Commission finds that the continued exercise of the franchise by the current holder no longer serves the public convenience and necessity. If the Commission (or for that matter, the Maryland General Assembly) transfers the requested franchise to BWR, that grant should be conditioned upon the Applicant’s agreement to come before the Commission again at the Commission’s request, to address whatever concerns the Commission or other Maryland state agencies may have regarding the development and progress of the proposed MAGLEV line, or other issues relevant to the exercise of the franchise. In particular, Staff believes it would be reasonable to place an initial time limit of five to seven years on the franchise authorization, and require the Applicant to come before the Commission and demonstrate that significant progress has been made in the construction of the line, before the franchise is granted on a permanent basis.