China's car straddling bus - and it's creativity in clean tech

[bik0]

Interesting concept...

China's car straddling bus - and it's creativity in clean tech
By Deborah Gage| August 6, 2010

This picture from China News shows China’s latest scheme for handling both its traffic jams and its air pollution — a combination bus/train that would straddle the road so cars could drive underneath it.

The project was exhibited in May at the Beijing International High-Tech Expo by the Shenzhen Hashi Future Parking Equipment Co Ltd., according to the news service China Hush.

It runs on electricity or solar energy. Passengers would sit on the top level (the bus can accommodate 1200 to 1400 people) while cars drive beneath them.

Its creators claim the straddling bus could reduce traffic jams by 25 to 30 percent, partly by getting people out of their cars and partly because the bus would move along with the cars underneath it rather than being one more vehicle on the road. Carbon emissions, they estimate, would be reduced by 860 tons per year.

Below, from China Hush, is a translated excerpt of the demonstration of the bus that tells how it works. You can also watch the video http://www.youtube.com/user/sadieblooming which was posted on YouTube by sadieblooming and has an English voice-over.

The bus’s creators also point out that the straddling bus would be much faster to build than a subway — a year versus three years — and has a “huge skylight that will eliminate passengers’ sense of depression when (they) enter.”



http://goo.gl/EIIG

[Cronus Protagonist]

1. Someone texting while drunk will stray right into one of its legs

And cause a spectacular catastrophe.

[HillbillyBob]

2. Its an intriging concept

it could be powered by cable, but I had similar thoughts about other drivers or pedestrians. What about existing overpasses?

[dkf]

3. Lol I was worried how you would turn from under one of those things

But your scenario is the real risk. Maybe they will chop off your hands if you text while driving.

[Dead_Parrot]

4. I wonder what the turning circle is? nt