Environment
SCL is the future
SCL is bringing us much closer to our self-imposed climate goals, because depending on how many kilometers of SCL network are built, CO₂ emissions in Germany/Europe will be reduced by 5-10%. The more road users utilize SCL, the more CO₂ emissions are avoided. The Paris climate goals are still achievable.
SCL resolves traffic jams
SCL reduces traffic congestion by a ratio of 1:3. This means one SCL lane replaces three highway lanes; no new highway construction is necessary. Humans cause traffic jams. They brake, accelerate, and swerve left and right. SCL automates and improves traffic flow.
SCL simplifies freight transport
SCL doesn't need to lug around a heavy locomotive and freight cars. Unnecessary weight. The cargo on the SCL is pulled by the conveyor belt. Weight savings of approximately 90%. Energy consumption minus 90% compared to a freight train. So much for the oft-repeated claim that rail is the most environmentally friendly mode of transport; that's now history.
Tunnel boring
Important for the Alpine countries: Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and France. Because traffic on the SCL will be concentrated bumper to bumper, eliminating the need for a safety distance, an hourly capacity of approximately 3,000 freight units can pass through the tunnel. This equates to roughly 72,000 freight units per day on just one lane. Currently, traffic in the tunnel occupies two lanes, one rail and one road. No more tunnel boring will be necessary for the foreseeable future. Environmental protection is key!
Route planning
SCL connects all of Europe. SCL drives fully automatically, causing no accidents or traffic jams. Individual humans do. Fruit and vegetables from Southern Europe don't need a night's rest, therefore reaching Central Europe more than twice as fast.
Our roads are also overloaded, both country roads and highways. We're all familiar with the dreadful traffic jams, especially on the highways. But surely building more and more highways, constantly destroying nature, can't be the solution. Biodiversity has already declined dramatically, yet we continue building highways as if everything were fine. What kind of world will we leave for our children and grandchildren?