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I would not consider the original poster, Steve Raney, to be a troll.  Nor would I classify his proposal as a hoax.  What makes it seem hoax-like is the seeming outlandishness of the idea of putting airbags on locomotives to protect pedestrians.    But I am certain that Mr. Raney is serious about the idea.  Moreover, I am certain that this proposal will get the serious consideration of those who can develop it and get it to work, as well as those who can get the public to pay for it.  It won’t make any difference what the railroads think of the proposal, because the implementation will not be their decision.     <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> This is no more outlandish than the FRA proposal for remote coupling and uncoupling of freight cars, and they are seriously spending public funds to develop that idea.  I would not be surprised if that idea was not originated by the FRA, but rather, by some small non-profit research think-tank similar to Mr. Raney’s organization.  And I expect that public money will eventually be spent on research and development of the locomotive airbag concept.    <o:p></o:p> Here is a link to one of Mr. Raney’s organizations, which advocates building “livable communities”:    <A href="http://www.railvolution.com/" mce_href="http://www.railvolution.com/">http://www.railvolution.com/</A> <o:p></o:p> Livable communities is a concept / agenda to achieve so-called “sustainability” by requiring people to live in high-density housing in a compact community core, and either walking, bicycling, or taking transit to get around.  Rail transit is the centerpiece of  “livable communities.”      <o:p></o:p> What the livable community agenda opposes is the use of private automobiles, suburbs, and freeways, all three of which it considers to be arch enemies of “sustainability.”  Moreover, the proponents of this vision do not want to merely offer this lifestyle as an option for people.  On the contrary, they are working with all levels of government to make it a requirement for people.   <o:p></o:p> Livable communities  (sometimes called “smart growth”) is a political agenda that stands in opposition to the freedom and liberty of being able to decide where you want to live, how you want to travel, and what kind of house you want to live in.    In case you think that these ideas are kook fringe that will not come to fruition, consider the fact that no less than the FRA themselves are calling for the development of HSR and LRT, and they state that the purpose is to help bring about livable communities, and stop global warming.
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