Transportation questions
54 fact-checked questions — tap any to predict the answer, then read why.
- Why can one runway crash cripple a whole airport?
- Why isn't a go-around always possible at the last moment?
- Why doesn't a radioed 'Stop!' mean instant braking?
- Why can one runway emergency make a second mistake more likely?
- Why do runway crashes often come from several small failures at once?
- Why doesn't a jet's anti-collision system simply stop a runway crash?
- Why can't a landing plane just swerve around a runway vehicle?
- Why can a last-second 'Stop!' call still fail on a runway?
- Why can a rescue truck itself become a runway hazard?
- Why can fewer nighttime flights still leave a runway vulnerable?
- Why do airports add surface radar instead of relying only on tower eyes?
- Why must airport fire trucks be electronically trackable on runways?
- Why do some buses tilt down at the front when stopped?
- Why do race cars have huge rear wings?
- Why do trains whistle at crossings?
- Why do elevators have weight limits?
- Why do ships use port and starboard?
- Why do traffic lights use red for stop?
- Why do ships have anchors?
- Why do planes dim cabin lights before night landing?
- Why do car engines idle?
- Why do school buses stop at railroads?
- Why do rockets need multiple stages?
- Why do tires have tread patterns?
- Why do bicycles need two wheels?
- Why do cars need transmissions?
- Why do helicopters hover without wings?
- Why do airplanes need runways?
- Why do ships have propellers at the back?
- Why do submarines dive and surface?
- Why are subway systems built underground?
- Why do high-speed trains have pointed noses?
- Why do ships have bulbous bows?
- Why do cars have alternators?
- Why are airplane windows rounded?
- Why don't cruise ships tip over?
- Why do motorcycles lean when turning?
- Why are roundabouts safer than intersections?
- Why do electric cars accelerate faster?
- Why do boats create waves behind them?
- Why do airplanes have winglets?
- Why are traffic lights red, yellow, green?
- Why do trains use steel wheels on tracks?
- Why do cars need oil changes?
- Why are ship anchors so heavy?
- Why do airplanes leave white trails in the sky?
- Why do hot air balloons float?
- Why do rockets need so much fuel?
- Why do helicopters have top rotors?
- Why do submarines sink and rise?
- Why do car tires have grooves?
- Why do bicycles stay upright moving?
- Why do ships have pointed fronts?
- Why do trains run on tracks?