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Trucks wanting to be trains
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Paul, <br /> <br />Part of the problem with the shorter trains over single track is that it is difficult to have sidings spaced and signals synchronized for both short trains and long trains / fast trains and slow trains. Just like on the highways, it helps if all traffic flows at the same relative velocity. Once you get a vehicle or two going slower or faster than the average traffic flow you get problems, hence the need for passing lanes to keep things fluid. Remember, highways are essentially "double track" equivilents, making passing lanes the equivalent of sidings. <br /> <br />That's why directional running (as referenced elsewhere) complimented with sidings is as close as one can get to the ideal of hosting both shorter faster trains and longer slower trains. When both the shorter faster trains and the longer slower trains are heading in the same direction, it lessens the incendence of conflict, e.g. if worse comes to worse the shorter train is constrained by the speed of the longer train, but at least they're still moving in their intended direction and there's no risk of a head on. <br /> <br />The other option I've heard of is "platooning", wherein the single track is used for one direction during a certain period of time, then the direction is reversed for the second time period, e.g. 12 hours reserved for westbounds, then the next 12 hours reserved for eastbounds. The highway equivalent of platooning is evident in those bi-directional commuter lanes, where the lane direction is signalled one way for the morning commute and the opposite direction for the evening commute.
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