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So, wouldn't dedicated high speed lanes by autonomous vehicles be more flexible?

They are talking 220mph here. I would think autonomous electric vehicles could do this too.

Although, possibly rail might be safer because you can build fences to keep animals out.

Maybe a mixture of both in the future?

also vehicles would be

- 10x costs to maintain the vehicles (tires brakes etc) - 10x less energy efficient - 10x less comfortable, cars are bumpy trains are smooth

That makes sense on those tradeoffs, I'm just wondering how many people would use high speed rail by going to a station and waiting for it. Maybe if they could make the departure and arrival seamless. And also have frequent departure times it could work. I used to take the train a lot from New Jersey to NYC and the 1 hour gap made it kind of a PITA, 15 minute increments makes it so one doesn't have to plan so much around it, and it is thus more likely one can rely on it.

"cars are bumpy trains are smooth "

Your delusions never cease to amaze.

What autonomous vehicles?

Waymo type vehicles.

I wouldn't get in one of those going 22 miles an hour let alone 220 mph.

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