China's 'Land Airbus' will allow cars to drive underneath it!
Beijing-based Transport Explore Bus has unveiled a prototype of a superimposed vehicle, the “Land Airbus,” that resembles a monorail and will allow vehicles to drive underneath it. A full-size test version is expected to be deployed in China’s urban environment around August this year. The biggest advantage of this model is that cars can actually drive underneath it.
It was first shown off as the “3D Express Coach” by Chinese company Shenzen Hashi Future Parking Equipment Co. However, its latest version – the Land Airbus – has now proven itself as a prototype, with an animated design shown by Transport Explore Bus at this year’s Beijing High-tech Expo. The first unit is under construction in China.
The futuristic "bus" model sits above two lanes of traffic, allowing other vehicles on the road to pass underneath it. The Land Airbus runs on rails on either side of the road, at around 37 miles per hour (60 km/h). However, its real utility lies in its passenger carrying capacity: Around 1,400 people can be carried on a single journey, roughly the equivalent of 40 conventional buses. It is also said to save road space and cost less than trains or tram systems.
Furthermore, the Land Airbus compared to a rail system or metro can be built and deployed much more quickly, in order to address traffic issues immediately. In addition, the on-road rails for the Airbus allow them to travel along existing infrastructure, saving on development costs and allowing them to use routes that passengers would use with regular buses or their own car.
However, the downside to this model is that while it is high enough off the ground to accommodate cars underneath, large buses and trucks will not be able to pass through. In other words, since the Land Airbus is about two meters high, passage will be limited to passenger cars only.
Once the full version of the Land Airbus is operational, the Chinese government expects more people to use public transportation, which in turn will reduce traffic congestion and vehicle emissions – an ever-growing problem in China.
