Futuristic elevated bus hits China streets

The elevated bus designated TEB-1 will be tested for it’s power consumption and breaking ability. Image Xinhuanet

When street traffic problems overwhelm people, creative ideas to solve them come out of the woodwork. Many of these suggested solutions are never tried, but this one China has gone ahead to build it–an innovative elevated bus.

The transit elevated bus (TEB-1) is set to be road-tested in Qinhuangdao at north China’s Hebei Province starting Aug. 2, Xinghuanet reported.

Measuring 22 meters long, 7.8 meters wide and 4.8 meters tall, the TEB-1 has a maximum capacity of 300 passengers. The space underneath the elevated bus is large enough to allow two cars abreast to pass through. It runs on specialized tracks positioned on the edges of two-lane roads and is powered by electricity.

Testing in Qinhuangdao City covered evaluating the breaking systems as well as drag and power consumption.

The design of this futuristic vehicle is meant to help ease traffic congestion in China’s streets and has already caught the attention of the governments of France, India, Indonesia and Brazil.  Alfred Bayle