I think the root of the problem is time zones - and the difference between local (solar) time and the time shown on the clock. Time zones were a response to problems in scheduling trains. At the time it was impracticable to show scheduled stops in the various local times a train could pass through on a printed schedule. So time zones, each with an offset from GMT.

But we have supercomputers that fit in our pockets now - and each locale can have an offset from what's now called UCT (not exactly the same as GMT, but close enough here). Times get a UCT offset instead of a time zone. For instance, for me the time is now 12:17PM EST; I could use 12:17PM (UCT+5), but if we wanted more local, it could be 12:17PM (+294), expressing current offset in minutes.

Just thinking aloud here.