The energy to move the materials sent through the tubes has to come from somewhere–natural gas and other petroleum product pipelines have pumps that move that material. The vast majority of the energy required to do this comes from carbon dixoide-emitting power sources somewhere (hydro, wind, and solar are nearly negligent in their contribution); the only other energy source is nuclear, which is in decline.

They also have to weigh the costs of building and maintaining the thing, which I suspect would be prohibitive. It’s silly to compare it to systems that deliver gas or water – unless they envision everyone living on a diet of soylent sludge.

Last, I don’t think many people will go for buying eggs, vegetables or meat products without seeing them first. Many grocery stores will deliver, but few people take advantage of it even though it would save them time.

But how do Food Tubes compare to light rail? Since light rail is mostly radial to urban areas anyway, it might be a good ready-made system for carrying cargo into a city.

@ 7. Todd: The roads wouldn’t have to be repaired as often either.

How will the tunnels be excavated? Are the pipes free? What happens when stateless Muslim terrorists dispatch a fleet of two-component expanding polyurethane foam bombs, er, improvised plugging devices, down the line?

Some yob caught the opening sequence to Futurama and thought, “Needs studies!”

If solar-powered linear induction motors were used, and on-the-fly x-ray inspection stations were added, with pat-downs and feel-ups for every employee every hour, and a managerial chain of command were installed, and it was all unionized, and the Spare Heir volunteered for employment, and…

Video could be zingier though, and slightly odd that so many images are not of UK scenes or trucks.