![elevatedbus]()
A few months ago, there was a new bus concept proposed in China that aimed to solve the country’s massive problem with road traffic. And considering just how crazy it sounded, no one ever expected the real thing to be made anytime soon.
![]()
time
But here we are, just a few months later, and the traffic-straddling public transport vehicle just took its first test drive in Qinhuangdao, Hebei.
![]()
metro
It’s called the Transit Elevated Bus, and it was first proposed at the 19th China Beijing International High-Tech Expo in May of 2016.
![]()
chinadaily
Ater presenting nothing more than a miniature model without a full-scale prototype, developers Jinchuang Corp said they could have the bus ready by August.
![]()
metro
The invention seeks to solve many of China’s transport problems at once: it allows mass transit to become truly mass, being able to carry hundreds of passengers at a time and clearing the streets of dozens of highway-clogging buses with each “straddler”.
![]()
theverge
And just like clockwork, the TEB hit the road a few days ago. The final design was tested on 300 meters of track, and allowed space for cars and trucks up to 7 ft high to pass underneath.
![]()
theverge
The first photos of the vehicle’s maiden voyage show a spacious interior that is over 72-feet long and 25-feet wide, while the entire bus is roughly 16 feet in height.
![]()
theverge
The bus rides along tracks embedded in the street, taking up no additional corridor space like a train would, and can carry up to 300 passengers at a time.
![]()
theverge
What’s more, it reduces the carbon emissions from the huge volume of traffic normally seen on Chinese highways: the system is all-electric and powered by solar and grid electricity.
![]()
theverge
This impressive feat of engineering is close to being implemented all over China. Song Youzhou, the designer of the bus, said that contracts from different Chinese provinces have been signed, and that more buses are under way.
![]()
theverge
According to the developers, the Transit Elevated Bus will take only a year to make. That means we could be looking at streets clear of unnecessary traffic very, very soon.
![]()
theverge
Watch the video below for more:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhfUn2Zen00
