Aug 5, 2010: China's Big Bus

xoxoxoBruce · 08-05-2010, 12:31 AM

This fall, in Beijing, construction will begin on the first 186km of track for what is called the "3D Express Coach". Rather than acquiring new land, or competing with traffic, this big bus will pass over traffic... and allow traffic to pass under it.

Quote:

Seriously, this is the future that China's envisioning: huge friggin' buses engulfing smaller cars on the road. Despite the silly picture and the eccentric "3D Express Coach" branding, this cunning project by Shenzhen Huashi Future Car-Parking Equipment actually makes sense. The idea is to make use of the space between regular-size cars and bridges, thus saving construction costs as well as minimizing congestion impact by allowing cars to drive underneath these jumbo buses.

video at the link

toranokaze · 08-05-2010, 02:52 AM

I foresee this ending very badly

casimendocina · 08-05-2010, 05:20 AM

Looks pretty innovative to me. If a concept such as the autobahn works, there's a strong possibility that this could work too. Probably just a matter of training drivers appropriately.

SPUCK · 08-05-2010, 05:21 AM

Yes! Very, very, badly.

Since Chinese can't drive worth a damn now, how are they ever going to handle the added complexity of rolling spaces.

Watch this movie you will see what I mean. It's like they have no idea.

Gravdigr · 08-05-2010, 05:27 AM

One would have to VERY careful when executing that left turn in Albuquerque.

casimendocina · 08-05-2010, 05:37 AM

Now is the time to reiterate my theory (based on 1.5 years experience living in beautiful industrial Wuhan) that in places like Australia everyone expects everyone else to do the right thing (follow the rules etc...) and then is surprised/gets really pissed off when they don't. In a place like China, no-one expects anyone to follow the rules, so aren't surprised when they don't and deal with it much better.

Griff · 08-05-2010, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toranokaze

I foresee this ending very badly

What could go wrong?

Nikolai · 08-05-2010, 05:59 AM

Loves Spucks video especially at 2:02 she nudges him over with her car made me chuckle. Was also noticing a lack of decent lines on the roads or traffic lights.

newtimer · 08-05-2010, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by casimendocina

(based on 1.5 years experience living in beautiful industrial Wuhan)

2 years in Wuhan, followed by another 3 in/around Beijing.
In an overcrowded country where many of the drivers only get a license because they are rich enough to bribe the examiner because they're too busy to actually study the rules, there's no way this can end well. However...

Has anybody considered the notion that this could be another government form of population control?

Cloud · 08-05-2010, 08:29 AM

I think they should invent the stop sign first!

Sundae · 08-05-2010, 11:38 AM

It appears to run on rails?
In which case, no more dangerous than trams mixed with traffic.

No matter how "adventurous" your driving style, you learn pretty early on not to mess with trams, buses, bin lorries etc. This would be the same.
I question just how economical it would be though. The space taken via the space utilised (for passengers) is less than 50%. Aren't subways still a better solution? NONE of the traffic issues and 99% passenger space?

Clodfobble · 08-05-2010, 11:46 AM

But if you don't already have subways, digging them from scratch while a city still functions on top is basically impossible. And geology can be a problem too--I don't know about China, but around here we will never, ever have subways because the whole area is sitting on top of solid limestone rock.

But either way, I think the problem with the normal trams is less about danger and more about convenience. They move slowly, and then they stop every couple of blocks and hold up traffic. (This is exactly what our public buses do here.) With this over-traffic model, when the tram stops the rest of the traffic just keeps right on going.

Sundae · 08-05-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

But if you don't already have subways, digging them from scratch while a city still functions on top is basically impossible.

Gotcha. Didn't think of that as our Tube system is so old.

Quote:

But either way, I think the problem with the normal trams is less about danger and more about convenience. They move slowly, and then they stop every couple of blocks and hold up traffic. (This is exactly what our public buses do here.) With this over-traffic model, when the tram stops the rest of the traffic just keeps right on going.

Good point also.
I was thinking - again- of European cities that never really STOPPED using the trams and built the roads around them. In Amsterdam the trams go places the cars can't go and vice versa. In Blackpool (Lancashire) the trams serve the tourist routes and are completely separate from cars for most of their journeys. Trams in traffic are no better than buses.

glatt · 08-05-2010, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

Trams in traffic are no better than buses.

Trams can actually be worse, if you get some idiot car driver blocking the tracks. A bus can drive around. A tram just has to sit there until the car moves.

Cloud · 08-05-2010, 12:33 PM

what are "trams" as you use that term? electric buses that run on overhead cables?

08-05-2010, 02:52 AM	#2
toranokaze I'm still a jerk Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Little Mexico Posts: 1,817	I foresee this ending very badly __________________ "Without deviation from the norm progress is not possible." - Frank Zappa It is the ignorance of ignorance that lead to the death of knowledge The Virgin Mary does not weep for her son, for he is in paradise. She weeps for the world , for we are in suffering.

08-05-2010, 05:27 AM	#5
Gravdigr The Un-Tuckian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: South Central...KY that is Posts: 39,517	One would have to VERY careful when executing that left turn in Albuquerque. __________________ These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, EPA, FBI, DEA, CDC, or FDIC. These statements are not intended to diagnose, cause, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you feel you have been harmed/offended by, or, disagree with any of the above statements or images, please feel free to fuck right off.

08-05-2010, 05:59 AM	#8
Nikolai Greener than the rest Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Near London Posts: 68	Loves Spucks video especially at 2:02 she nudges him over with her car made me chuckle. Was also noticing a lack of decent lines on the roads or traffic lights. __________________ “Nowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul” – Marcus Aurelius

08-05-2010, 08:29 AM	#10
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	I think they should invent the stop sign first! __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

08-05-2010, 11:46 AM	#12
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	But if you don't already have subways, digging them from scratch while a city still functions on top is basically impossible. And geology can be a problem too--I don't know about China, but around here we will never, ever have subways because the whole area is sitting on top of solid limestone rock. But either way, I think the problem with the normal trams is less about danger and more about convenience. They move slowly, and then they stop every couple of blocks and hold up traffic. (This is exactly what our public buses do here.) With this over-traffic model, when the tram stops the rest of the traffic just keeps right on going. __________________ My book My other book My spirit animal

08-05-2010, 05:20 AM	#3
casimendocina Professor Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,622	Looks pretty innovative to me. If a concept such as the autobahn works, there's a strong possibility that this could work too. Probably just a matter of training drivers appropriately.

08-05-2010, 05:21 AM	#4
SPUCK Professor Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,911	Yes! Very, very, badly. Since Chinese can't drive worth a damn now, how are they ever going to handle the added complexity of rolling spaces. Watch this movie you will see what I mean. It's like they have no idea.

08-05-2010, 05:37 AM	#6
casimendocina Professor Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,622	Now is the time to reiterate my theory (based on 1.5 years experience living in beautiful industrial Wuhan) that in places like Australia everyone expects everyone else to do the right thing (follow the rules etc...) and then is surprised/gets really pissed off when they don't. In a place like China, no-one expects anyone to follow the rules, so aren't surprised when they don't and deal with it much better.

08-05-2010, 11:38 AM	#11
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	It appears to run on rails? In which case, no more dangerous than trams mixed with traffic. No matter how "adventurous" your driving style, you learn pretty early on not to mess with trams, buses, bin lorries etc. This would be the same. I question just how economical it would be though. The space taken via the space utilised (for passengers) is less than 50%. Aren't subways still a better solution? NONE of the traffic issues and 99% passenger space?

08-05-2010, 12:33 PM	#15
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	what are "trams" as you use that term? electric buses that run on overhead cables? __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

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