Americans are always on the road. We're also always online. I think a worthy goal for the next 10 years or so would be to use one to enhance the other.The Plan?-
Every mile of Interstate highway should be a conduit for and source of broadcasted Hi Speed WiFi Internet.
All of the routers, towers, ect would be powered by a connected series of solar panels, small wind turbines (powered by wind from passing cars) & other CLEAN power generators. These can be placed along the side of the road or built in unused land in the interstate medium. Brand new industries and thousands of jobs could be created bidding for the contracts in different cities/areas. Even without the Internet THE ENTIRE USA INTERSTATE SYSTEM COULD GENERATE ELECTRICITY TO SUPPLY A NATIONAL POWER GRID! That alone would be a inportant achievement.
One of the most exciting technological wonders coming along in the next few years is a fleet of autonomous cars that can drive themselves. Having an always on hi speed Internet means even less of a possibility of the runaway robot car that doesn't know where it is on the map. Also, while you're riding you can check your email, watch a movie on Netflix, and visit all your social and gaming websites. If you still don't trust that robot car you can create an entire new category of stay at home workers whose job is to live monitor automatic public cabs and busses.
The Interstate Information Superhighway will also benifit every neighborhood it passes through. Suddenly every school, apartment conplex and home near the overpass becomes a lot more attractive with the addition of free hi speed wifi EVERYWHERE in the neighborhood.
Obviously, theres a lot of things that would need to happen to make this plan work. An obvious issue would be, What to do about all the phone/internet suppliers who could concievably lose Millions of customers. Should internet acess still be an optional comodity or a basic utily like electricity and water? And how much would it all cost to maintain.? And who would do that maintenence? The government? Private companies? These are all valid concerns. But think about the tremendous good that could be done! A connected Highway of Asphalt AND Information! A road to take you from one side of the country to the other AND into the future.
