COOLEST Idea Of The Year? China's 3-D Fast Bus

I just didn't think anyone had it in them to do something this extreme.

In order to stave off some of the hardcore traffic erupting throughout China -- thanks to its newborn car love -- a Chinese firm is getting cracking on trying to build what may be the coolest thing I have seen in a long time.

A bus/train/whateveryouwanttocallit kind of vehicle that essentially "rolls over" traffic. Uh, what are we in the year 2100?

**To get a better grasp of the way this system will work, get a look at the video down below...


NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Struggling under mounting congestion problems and facing an explosion in automobile sales, China may build a novel bus-train hybrid people-mover that rolls over cars.

Resembling an open-mouthed whale, the vehicle, known as a "3-D Fast Bus" (which apparently sounds much more modern in Chinese), would run on stilt-like legs, whisking passengers along about 14 feet above the road and allowing traffic to pass underneath.

The vehicle can run either on rails laid on each side of the road, or on wheels programmed to stay on special lines painted on the pavement. Hitched together in a line of four, the transporter could move up to 1,200 passengers...



[Source: CNN Money]








2011 Ford Edge Crossover Photo Gallery

Concours D'Elegance Monterey 2010 Photo Gallery

Concours Weekend Monterey 2010 Photo Gallery

The Quail 2010 Photo Gallery

Concorso Italiano 2010 Photo Gallery

AutoSpies.com Photo Galleries

If you want to see your photos running on our homepage photo ticker, be sure to upload your photos on the go by sending them to Mobile@AutoSpies.com

Share on Facebook

Read Article

synx - 8/19/2010 12:02:17 AM

+4 Boost

That's cool! Would be distracting though and what happens at intersections

B7FAN - 8/19/2010 7:37:55 AM

+1 Boost

This is month old news.....like Jay-Z and Swizz Beats....ON TO THE NEXT ONE

veyron1001 - 8/19/2010 10:52:57 PM

+1 Boost

From the videos I have seen from cameras at intersections, I think the Chinese have their hands full just driving.

WorldofLuxury - 8/19/2010 12:11:25 AM

+6 Boost

This or the monorail?
LA has neither...

I like how quickly China is building its infrastructure when it has the money. The important roads are always in great condition and constantly repaved, and road work doesn't take forever. Some might feel sad for the road workers there, but honestly, having a tough job is better than no job - and it's not like people are getting killed.

I can say more, but I think I've gotten my point across.

edeus123 - 8/19/2010 3:36:27 AM

+1 Boost

It's so brilliant it just might! Yeah, I would like to see how things would be at the traffic light. It will most likely be complex, but it will work seeing if no one makes a bad move. Like moving out too soon to make a turn and then the train/bus thingy smashing into the vehicle that is making the turn too quick or even slow.

edeus123 - 8/19/2010 3:43:11 AM

+1 Boost

Guy&Gals, do you hear this? A "trail and error," like yeah with the lives of people. But we have to loose some to gain some; wait a minute I don't think that is possible.

uaw_lax - 8/19/2010 10:02:44 AM

+3 Boost

An accident would be horrific.

lock - 8/19/2010 11:46:53 AM

-1 Boost

I don't think it would be that bad at traffic lights...not like it automated. There will be a driver and it's not like its going mach speeds.

thstone - 8/19/2010 1:03:52 PM

0 Boost

Hah! This will never be built. There are so many things wrong with this concept that I don't know where to start - lasers, ultrasound, solar power, recharging batteries when at a station, and so on.

This idea is DOA.

IamEvilHomer - 8/19/2010 1:34:36 PM

0 Boost

i am turning left and the bus is turning right. Big issue

Designer1 - 8/19/2010 5:17:49 PM

+1 Boost

Brilliant idea. And for those who are thinking this train will stop at a traffic light, it shouldn't. I can have small rail bridge to climb over the intersections and continues its path stopping only at its stop stations.

This is just brilliant!! It must be built!

Larrybel2000 - 8/19/2010 6:36:40 PM

0 Boost

Thank you designer1. Saved me the trouble of saying it.

Larry B.
Key West.

edeus123 - 8/19/2010 7:08:35 PM

+2 Boost

Now, how will that look? It would look kinda ridiculous in my opinion.

Larrybel2000 - 8/19/2010 9:48:25 PM

+1 Boost

edeus123. It would be similar to bridge or an overpass only not as much structure involved. Just a couple of rails. That would look different but not as ridiculous as those horseless carriages did at the turn of the last century.

Larry B.
Key West.

Escalade1 - 8/20/2010 10:20:39 AM

+1 Boost

Why not a more simpler solution; just give these buses their own lane either to the far left or in the middle?

edeus123 - 8/20/2010 2:31:38 PM

+1 Boost

Than that would defeat the whole purpose don't you think?