Connection with nature through the heavens

The most powerful connection with nature is in seeing a full night sky of stars, but large cities create so much light pollution that residents are lucky to see only a few stars and only if they are really looking for them. Disconnected from nature on a daily basis, they manage daily with terrestial pleasantries while forgetting the celestial wonders. Restoration of the night sky is not that difficult with sky caps, which greatly increase security by also minimizing terrestial shadows. Here is an overview: http://www.dancaton.physics.appstate.edu/NCDarkSkies/AASstuff/AAS-2002.PPT

Improving the transportation network

Government is missing the mark in America for improving the transportation network on both the long-distance and local scales. In the local area, commuting solutions are required with a reformed network of express busses and vans. Patrons register pick-up and drop-off locations so that the vans know where to go on a in-vehicle GPS map. The vans pick-up the commuter upon receiving the requesting call (without delay) and transport him/her while picking up others on the way to an express hub. The express hubs have busses leaving on the hour and the half hour to other express hubs throughout the city with no stops in between. This is meant to hop commuters over large commuting distances (of at least 5 miles) and thus remove cars from the roadways during rush hour

The long-distance network invites the use of high-speed trains between major cities. It increases the country's interconnectivity. Patrons drive their cars or commercial trucks (with noncombustable materials) onto an electric or fuel cell (no burning of hydrocarbons in tunnels) train. Vehicles are secured and passengers ride in the train's passenger cars. The train enters an underground tunnel slightly larger than the train's outer hull and propels itself with air (pressure) to great speeds on tracks using suspension dampened wheel on all sides of the tunnel for guidance. Each set of tracks guides the train from jumping the tracks and the walls of the tunnel act as re-inforced guiding. Obviously an extensive network of air masks and fire suppressors must guard against sabatoge by combustion or other air problems. The issue of safety of non-passengers with respect to air flow at the tunnel entrances probably requires fences, large openings, camera surveillance, and armored shielding on the front of the train. Building safe tunnels is expensive, and the cost has not been evaluated, but it seems the best way to protect against derailment issues, unintended train collisions, and crosswind. Windows would be sealed closed, of course. The tunnel would be straight as possible for minimal stress on train and tracks.