Some pessimistic experts feel that the automobile is
bound to fall into disuse. They see a day in the not-too-distant future when all
autos will be abandoned and allowed to rust. Other authorities, however, think
the auto is here to stay. They hold that the car will remain a leading means of
urban travel in the foreseeable future. The motorcar will
undoubtedly change significantly over the next 30 years. It should become
smaller, safer, and more economical, and should not be powered by the gasoline
engine. The car of the future should be far more pollution-free than present
types. Regardless of its power source, the auto in the future
will still be the main problem in urban traffic congestion (拥挤). One proposed
solution to this problem is the automated highway system. When
the auto enters the highway system, a retractable (可伸缩的) arm will drop from the
auto and make contact with a rail, which is similar to those powering subway
trains electrically. Once attached to the rail, the car will become electrically
powered from the system, and control of the vehicle will pass to a central
computer. The computer will then monitor all of the car’s movements.
The driver will use a telephone to dial instructions about his
destination into the system. The computer will calculate the best route, and
reserve space for the car all the way to the correct exit from the highway. The
driver will then be free to relax and wait for the buzzer (蜂鸣器) that will warn
him of his coming exit. It is estimated that an automated highway will be able
to handle 10,000 vehicles per hour, compared with the 1,500 to 2,000 vehicles
that can be carried by a present-day highway.What provides autos with electric power in an automated highway system
