Over a certain speed threshold, the noise from tires becomes a more significant factor than the noise from engines. The Netherlands has special sound dampening roads that they allow high speed travel on. But more importantly, they try to keep homes and businesses far away from roads. When a car is near an urban center, it has to travel on streets, which have a low speed limit.
Cars can move one person quicker than most terrestrial transit. But they absolutely suck at moving entire populations. They have to waste too much space. There’s too much space wasted in a car, and too much space between cars that’s required for safety. One railway line can move twenty times as many people as one car lane. In fact, a well designed bike lane like they have in the Netherlands moves commuters faster than a car lane.
Out of morbid curiosity: define “loud” and “slow”. Indulge me.
Over a certain speed threshold, the noise from tires becomes a more significant factor than the noise from engines. The Netherlands has special sound dampening roads that they allow high speed travel on. But more importantly, they try to keep homes and businesses far away from roads. When a car is near an urban center, it has to travel on streets, which have a low speed limit.
Cars can move one person quicker than most terrestrial transit. But they absolutely suck at moving entire populations. They have to waste too much space. There’s too much space wasted in a car, and too much space between cars that’s required for safety. One railway line can move twenty times as many people as one car lane. In fact, a well designed bike lane like they have in the Netherlands moves commuters faster than a car lane.