Currently all our large trasport systems fall into to two categories: roads and canals. Both share an important aspect. You have to be at the computer constantly. In addition roads take food. Sadly, the the obvious other choice, rails, are just too expensive right now.

Their is at least one other option. Back before rails were added Etho came up with a transportation system he called EATS (Etho's Advanced Transportation System). It fell out of use pretty much as soon as rails were added and the original design would no longer work due to various updates.

I've spent some time figuring everything out based on some videos and I think I've got something worth using. The basic track uses 3 lines of cobblestone walls holding water streams heading in opposite directions inside. Every three blocks pressure plates break up the water stream and allow for a new source block. A boat is held down inside by half slabs.

The most complicated part is the turns and while I've got it working perfectly in creative on the sever boats occasionally break. I'm hopeful 1.6 will help with this. There was several changes to the boat system apparently.

For those wondering here's the world download.