= new reply since forum marked as read
Q: How many signalized intersections are there in the U.S.?
A: No one can say for sure, because no one collects comprehensive data on this. A 2004 Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) project, "Signal Timing Practices and Procedures: State of the Practice", included a survey of a large number of jurisdictions of all sizes, to estimate the total number of signalized intersections in the U.S. That report concluded that a reasonable "rule of thumb" is one signalized intersection per 1,000 population. That would mean that, as the U.S. has an estimated 2012 population of 314 million, we've got over 300,000 signals in the U.S.
So there are 300,000 traffic lights in the US. There have to be 5 x that number for "every corner".
So that's 1.5 million taco trucks.
And taco trucks need at least 3 people (ok, could do it with two) to prep orders, serve, and collect money)
but it would be safe to say that this would require a work force of around 4 million illegal immigrants (with legal status).
OTOH, a decent new taco truck (and I looked into this for a friend of mine interested in opening his own "roach coach"
can be had for $250,000 new... not the 500,000.
So... 1.5 million taco trucks at $250,000 = $375B in capital expenditures and would employ 4 million immigrants!
Iowa farmers would get rich selling corn for tortillas... and we wouldn't use ethanol anymore.
And gym membership would go up... McDonald's and Taco Bell and KFC would go out of business.
It would be a transformation of our entire economy!
On the other hand, all is worth it so that we can walk an average of half a block and get tacos.
I'll have jalapenos on mine, please!!
