Science Fiction often predicts the future. In 1940 Robert Heinlein wrote about conveyor belt highways in the short story “The Roads Must Roll.” It has taken nearly 85 years but now it appears the Japanese will build one, between Tokyo and Osaka. The motivating factor - a shortage of truck drivers. And according to the article:
Japan isn't the only nation planning such a project, notes Fast Company, which details potential conveyor belt roads for cargo in Switzerland, China, and the Netherlands. One difference is that these would be underground.
”Underground” doesn’t seem practical in the Netherlands where the water table is near the surface. Digging it would be a muddy business. Hat tip to Sarah Hoyt blogging at Instapundit for the link.
N.B., Robert Heinlein was one of the very best sci fi authors, particularly in the early years. His later works - post Stranger in a Strange Land - are something of an acquired taste, one which I never developed.
