If you can't beat traffic, why not rise above it? That's the solution proposed by this new design concept for a 'straddling bus' that has space beneath it for normal cars to drive.
The brainchild of Beijing-based Transit Explore Bus, the futuristic bus spans two lanes and has stilts connecting it to specially-created tracks on either side of its double-lane.
The hollow beneath the straddling bus is high enough to allow normal cars and light commercial vehicles to pass beneath it, although trucks and other buses will obviously have to be kept off these routes.
According to its creators, the bus will be able to transport up to 1400 passengers at a time at up to 60km/h, while saving road space and reducing pollution. Chief engineer Song Youzhou also pointed out that the system essentially performs the task of a subway but at just 16 percent of the cost, while also considerably shortening the manufacturing and construction lead time.
There would obviously be a few things to work out, besides the truck issue. For starters, motorists aren't going to want to be beneath these through a sharp bend, but with the correct traffic management they might just pull it off.
So how close is this to reality?
Youzhou said that his company plans to test the first prototype on a track in northern China by early August, but at this stage there's no word on how long it would take for this to be an everyday reality.
Would you feel comfortable driving beneath one of these? Leave a comment on our Twitter page @IOLmotoring .
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