Detect vandalism and other "unapproved" activity and take the accused directly to a transit station or worse a police station for processing. They aren't driving so "big brother" can enforce a disciplinary detour to discourage unwanted activities.

The beauty of these "pods" is that one is at the station waiting for you whenever you show up. You don't have to match your schedule to the train/bus schedule.

The issue is integrating the tracks into current urban settings so that you only have to walk a couple blocks between the station and your destination. Elevated or submerged tracks and stations seem like the only feasible solution but both have enormous investment costs.

These pods will never work over longer distances which might be what you are referring to with door-to-door travel. But people would be far more likely to take a train from LA to SF or NY to DC if they could count on a pod being ready at the station to take them to within a couple blocks of there destination within the city.

I've only been working the 9/80 schedule for 4.5 years but I LOVE it. I'm looking forward to 4 days off this weekend.

I haven't had any trouble with working off-Fridays. Our entire company works the same schedule which probably helps. In fact I'd rather (and have) come in on a Sunday instead of an off-Friday.