Posted 04.08.2011 at 3:14 pm
15 Comments
This Is a Bus
Superbus Project
High speed trains are so passé — for comfortable superfast travel, hop on the Superbus.
With a top speed of 155 MPH, the new Superbus, which sort of looks like an elongated Batmobile, could be an efficient way to reduce congestion at a lower cost than building new trains or other public transit systems.
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Cars, Rebecca Boyle, bus, buses, electric cars, netherlands, public transit, transportation, transportation innovation, VideoMade of carbon fiber with an electric motor, the Superbus is the same width and length as a normal bus, but sits much lower to the ground. It seats 23 passengers in a luxury setting, with multimedia controls in each comfortable seat. The harness-style seatbelt makes you feel like you’re in a racecar (racebus?) and 16 gull-wing doors give it a DeLorean-like feel.
The bus debuted last fall and is starting to appear at transit trade shows. Ockels will demonstrate the bus at a show in Dubai in May, according to the BBC.
Ockels shows it off in this video below. We have no idea what he is saying, as we are unable to speak freaky-deaky Dutch, but the video nicely demonstrates the Superbus’ attributes.
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One detail left out : on what highways will they run the service? Only Germany has unlimited speed highway sections?
And also an accident at 155 mph will definitely be deadly.
Trains are safer.
Put it on a track and make it strong enough to clear a large truck off of the track and I will ride it. Oh wait, they already have those. Trains
hey look, a fast limo...
The only problem I see, since the bus sits so low to the ground, dips or elevations in the road would cause it to bottom out. This wouldn't be a problem on major highways, but I live in the Netherlands and there's a railroad crossing close to my house where I doubt that bus could safely cross.
Can someone please tell the Dutch that The Onion is intended to be a satirical publication?
www.theonion.com/video/obama-replaces-costly-highspeed-rail-plan-with-hig,18473/
haha I remember that The Onion episode as well. Too funny.
@highermorals: I totally agree
And unlike high-speed rail you can crash it.
Passengers usually come with baggages. Where si the trunk ?
Hope the driver isn't texting while driving
Top speed really just implies that it has a better braking system. You never drive a commercial vehicle at it's top speed. But if it's designed to go faster, it means it's designed to have brakes that stop it faster as well. Which means at normal speeds it won't have any problems stopping in time.
Thank you (old) Top Gear:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTvJFSRYJr8
you'd think the writers of popsci would know about the translating captions on youtube videos... the video says top speed is actually 300km/h or roughly 186 mph and that cruising speed is 250km/h, the 155mph you guys stated.
this would require a separate highway system to be safe at that speed, severly limiting its usefullness, IMO
this vehicle is completey pointless and will help no one in any way. maybe on the autoban but... wouldnt someone rather drive themselves on the autoban since they can speed themselves without putting there lives in the hands of someone else
@drchuck1 it would then be more like a train that can't carry as much.
@davehorne the superbus has a variable suspension system which gives it as much as 40 cm of clearance while in cities or towns and a 7 cm clearance while on highways.
I think this is a great idea though