Now that's a bus

[Flatty]

The Netherlands has developed an electric "Superbus," an eco-friendly form of public transit that can carry 23 passengers and reach a top speed of 155 miles per hour.
As the BBC is reporting (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-13012083), the state-of-the-art vehicle is the brainchild of Dutch astronaut Wubbo Ockels, who is currently a professor of aerospace sustainable engineering and technology.
Chief designer Antonia Terzi, former chief aerodynamicist of the BMW-Williams Formula 1 team, is quoted (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/04/08/superbus/) as saying the vehicle, which cost an estimated 13 million euros, will "tackle the challenges of mobility, spatial planning, service detail and environmental demands all in one."
The lengthy carbon fiber and fiberglass vehicle is reportedly (http://www.slashgear.com/eco-friendly-superbus-gets-uae-trial-video-08145139/) set to make its debut at a trade fair in Dubai next month.

Sauce (http://www.popsci.com/cars/article/2011-04/video-new-dutch-superbus-carries-two-dozen-passengers-155-mph)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS7idJnIbVA&feature=player_embedded

This would NEVER work in SA.

[Nitty]

That's not a bus, it's an over-sized centipede :rofl:

Looks a bit :crazy: I suppose there will be no city driving with this thing - how would you go around a bend?

[Flatty]

They're developing a special lane for it which will have under-tar heating to prevent ice forming on it during winter. It's on trial on a route between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, by the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport. It will apparently cover the distance in 30 minutes.


Although no feasibility studies have been done yet for the Abu Dhabi-Dubai route, the similar Amsterdam-Groningen route has been studied by the Dutch government, with other high speed connection routes currently under evaluation for several other countries around the world.

Sauce (http://www.arabianbusiness.com/superbus-set-go-on-trial-in-abu-dhabi-392833.html)

[Badapple]

They're developing a special lane for it which will have under-tar heating to prevent ice forming on it during winter. It's on trial on a route between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, by the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport. It will apparently cover the distance in 30 minutes.



Sauce (http://www.arabianbusiness.com/superbus-set-go-on-trial-in-abu-dhabi-392833.html)

I assume the ice is in the Netherlands and not Dubai? :p

[Flatty]

I assume the ice is in the Netherlands and not Dubai? :p

Not actually, apparently ice forms on roads in Dubai during winter as well...

[Badapple]

Now that I must see!
In Dubai? they cant be serious?
Maybe when Santa pays a visit :shrug:

[Flatty]

Now that I must see!
In Dubai? they cant be serious?
Maybe when Santa pays a visit :shrug:

The article I initially read only mentioned trials in Abu Dhabi, and spoke about the ice on roads - perhaps the authors are confused. I read so many articles on it, not sure where that article is:


"To prevent icing during winter the surface of these roads would store heat in the summer and release it in the winter."

Perhaps they quoted that out of context, because it also struck me as strange that they would have ice on their roads.

Sauce (http://www.gizmag.com/superbus/14677/)

[Badapple]

must be! LOL
Well you never know, it does get cold at night, not sure if there is enough moisture about though.

---------- Post added at 06:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:23 PM ----------

cool bus btw

[Flatty]

It's a good idea for places that need fast transit between major centres, but you have to have space to build their 'super' lane - which won't work in most places as space is a limited commodity.

[TotalWar]

I do not want to break any rules on the site so that's why I am rambling on before I actually post the comment I wanted to say. So here it is.

WHY? :confused:

[Thumponius]

Wouldn't work in SA. Their dedicated lane would be full of minister convoys and taxis cutting in.