The "straddling bus" is finally here, and it is the Chinese designers and engineers we must thank for turning the sci-fi vehicle into reality.
The futuristic Transit Elevated Bus (TEB-1) went for its first test stroll in the northern city of Qinhuangdao, located in the Hebei province. The bus was a mere concept in 2010, but 2016 shows the working prototype of a public transportation vehicle that runs above street level.
The test took place on a 300 m (984 feet) demo track, with the 72-foot-long, 26-foot-wide bus rolling on it, while the surrounding audience was engulfed in enthusiasm.
Looking at the interior design, we notice a stronger resemblance with a subway rather than with a regular train. This means that people will be seated on opposite sides facing each other, with a generous empty space in the middle. This would ensure more flexibility in passenger commutes than the seating of a train would.
The elevated bus runs on rails that are deployed on the right and left side of the two lanes it straddles, generating a fixed route for the eye-catching public transportation vehicle.
Some similarities can be identified between the TEB prototype and its 2010 precursor, which was developed by the Shenzhen Huashi Future Parking Equipment. Both autos are crafted with diminishing traffic congestion in mind, and their use should curb the number of buses and cars that are crowding the streets of China. Both straddling buses were meant to run entirely on electricity.
Keep in mind that the two vehicles come with a number of important differences, as well.
The previous version of the bus was much more ambitious, as the original designs aimed to accommodate 1,200 passengers. The recent design reduced that number to a quarter to make the vehicle more efficient. The original bus was supposed to undergo testing in the Mentougou District of Beijing, but it never got to hit the road.
Also, it looks like the boarding systems are entirely different. The new bus uses elevated platforms to let people embark, while the previous variant had an in-built ladder for the same purpose.
Looking at the changes, it can be speculated that the TEB-1 turned out this way because the manufacturer took the feedback from the previous model seriously. Reduced size means faster commute speeds, which only adds to the main selling point of the vehicle: avoiding traffic jams altogether.
Despite TEB-1's promising silhouette, some questions remain unanswered. Insiders from the auto industry wonder how the bus will interact with the cars below, for instance, when maneuvering will be required. Or, what happens when cars have to change lane, direction or steer?
Adjustment to different speed limits is also an issue, not to mention the coexistence of regular buses and the TEB on the same route.
Before the straddling bus goes into volume manufacturing, such questions demand an answer.
However, the pilot in Qinhuangdao is commendable. The resources and effort put into the prototype demonstrate China's desire to take steps toward reducing traffic and curbing pollution.
If the bus would also pack autonomous driving features, as seen on the traditional one from Mercedes-Benz, we have a strong feeling that the investors' interest in TEB-1 would increase tenfold.
