5 replies to this topic

[sirhotalot]

http://www.chinahush...ive-to-commute/

Proposed by Shenzhen Hashi Future Parking Equipment Co., Ltd, the model looks like a subway or light-rail train bestriding the road. It is 4-4.5 m high with two levels: passengers board on the upper level while other vehicles lower than 2 m can go through under. Powered by electricity and solar energy, the bus can speed up to 60 km/h carrying 1200-1400 passengers at a time without blocking other vehicles’ way. Also it costs about 500 million yuan to build the bus and a 40-km-long path for it, only 10% of building equivalent subway. It is said that the bus can reduce traffic jams by 20-30%.

...

The bus can save up to 860 ton of fuel per year, reducing 2,640 ton of carbon emission. Presently we have passed the first stage demonstration and will get through all of the technical invalidation by the end of August. Beijing’s Mentougou District is carrying out a eco-community project, it has already planned out 186 km for our straddling bus. Construction will begin at year end.

[Logically Irrational]

This seems like turning would be a huge problem. If It's in a city and turning a lot, cars would never have time to get under the bus. Since the other cars will be forced in front or behind, it would more or less defeat the purpose of a straddling bus right?

[Shimmy]

Yea, it would only make sense on completely straight roads, and I imagine it would increase accidents a lot. Cars will be changing lanes in slow/stationary traffic and then this thing speeds through at 60km/h? But admittedly China have never really cared about road safety.

[Prolite]

This thing is a disaster just waiting to happen.

[sirhotalot]

It can turn just fine, it's jointed.

This thing is a disaster just waiting to happen.

We'll see.

[Prolite]

The only application for this is for trains. Instead of having a train track split to the side so another train can pass and go to another line, just simple have one train go over the top of the other.