but anywaythe point is once a car is in motion it has to stop again at some point, instead of wasting the energy that has been put into the vehicle by turning it into heat in the brake pads this /clever/ person has found a way to capture that heat. He's not my father but it's the 'crazy' kind of thing that he might come up with. Actually not stupid at all.
*fumes*
(,
Sat 17 Dec 2005, 3:03,
archived)
*fumes*
Right-technology already exists to recover a large proportion of braking energy- regenerative braking, as used on hybrid cars, and previously electric vehicles such as forklift trucks, now for many years.
The point you are missing is that, execpt for in very certain circumstances, vehicles will accelerate to regain lost speed after passing over the ramps, thereby burning extra fuel to replace the lost momentum.
I do agree with your previous point that the ramps could be useful in situations where traffic is guaranteed to be stopping, or on downhill stretches of road. However, as with many things these days, the problem lies not with the technology, but with its application.
(,
Sat 17 Dec 2005, 3:25,
archived)
The point you are missing is that, execpt for in very certain circumstances, vehicles will accelerate to regain lost speed after passing over the ramps, thereby burning extra fuel to replace the lost momentum.
I do agree with your previous point that the ramps could be useful in situations where traffic is guaranteed to be stopping, or on downhill stretches of road. However, as with many things these days, the problem lies not with the technology, but with its application.