Skip to main content

Superfast Superbus: The 23-seater bus can travel at 250kmph

Image
By

A design team from TU Delft University has unveiled a 15-feet-long , six-wheeled Superbus. The aerodynamic and luxurious Superbus, which on the first glance looks like a cross between the Batmobile and a very stretched limousine, can carry 23 passengers and travel at a speed of 250kmph.

The team, including former Dutch astronaut Wubbo Ockels, hopes their streamlined electric vehicle will bring fast, comfortable and sustainable public transport a step closer.

FAST AND FLEXIBLE

The Superbus travel concept combines high-speed travel with the flexibility of a car. The vehicle is similar to an average bus in length and breadth, but its low ground clearance and aerodynamic design make it extremely energy efficient.

This is helped by the chassis and bodywork of lightweight carbon fibre: the electric vehicle uses as much energy to travel at 250kmph as a normal bus travelling at 100kmph.

The Superbus also has two pairs of rear wheels that can turn independently , thereby reducing its turning radius.

"The strength to the concept is that the Superbus can drive everywhere where a normal bus can drive," the Daily Mail quoted Ockels as saying. "It has adjustable height, rear-wheel steering and a turning circle of roughly 10metres," he added.

FEELS LIKE A LIMOUSINE

The Superbus has a spacious, comfortable interior with extremely luxurious seating, so passengers have the sensation of being driven in a stretch limousine sportscar.

The sixteen gull-wing doors mean people can get in and out without disturbing their fellow passengers.

Passengers can order the bus via internet or text message. They then travel together with passengers who share more or less the same starting place and/or destination.

SUPERTRACK FOR A SUPERBUS

The Superbus is designed to use the normal road system and has no trouble coping with roundabouts. On motorways a seperate supertrack can be used to enable the bus to reach its high speeds.

Dynamic barriers allow the bus to enter or exit the supertrack every twenty kilometres.

The bus battery has a range of 200 kilometres and batteries can be exchanged in the special pitstops.

The Dutch Ministry of Transport compared the performance of the Superbus to those of a high-speed train and a Maglev train.

Their study showed that the Superbus is most popular among passengers and has the least environmental burden, as well as scoring highest in a cost-benefit analysis.

The project began in 2004 and has so far cost around 11.5 million pounds.


Article adopted from http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-04-15/news/29421896_1_passengers-high-speed-train-electric-vehicle

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Honda recalls Jazz and City Cars

By
Automobile Giant Honda recalls 646,000 Fit/Jazz & City cars worldwide because of its window switch defect which could lead to fire.Yesterday it was Toyota and today its Honda. Whats the problem ? Under some severe operating conditions, water or any other liquid may enter the driver's window and reach the master power window switch resulting in impaired function of the switch. If the master power switch is damaged then it may lead to fire and and threat to life. There were three reported cases of fire due to the defect two in America and one in South Africa. Jazz in India wont be hit Honda spokesperson in India said it wont affect Jazz in India because the hatchback sold in India are next generation model and the defects pertains only to the previous generation models which was not sold to India.
Post a Comment
Read more

Encourage Employees to Learn by Sharing Your Own Growth

By
As a manager, it’s your job to make sure everyone on your team keeps learning. But beyond encouraging people to take classes and go to conferences, how do you do it? A good starting point is to talk about your own development. When managers open up about their personal areas for improvement, it becomes more acceptable for everyone else to do the same. Ask yourself these questions, and share the answers with your team: “What areas do I need to grow the most in? What insights have I found helpful in accomplishing these goals?” And when you come back from a workshop or training, don’t resort to the typical “It was interesting” summary — be specific. For example, you might say, “I thought I was a good listener, but now I can see that this is a growth area for me. The training showed me new ways to interact with others, and although they aren’t necessarily comfortable for me, I’m going to try them out.” Adapted from " Make Sure Everyone on Your Team Sees Learning as Part of Their Job ,...
28 comments
Read more

The Solution to a Tough Problem Isn’t to Overthink It

By
We all like to consider ourselves smart, but raw intelligence isn’t everything. When we get stuck on a problem, sometimes it’s because we’re overthinking it. Pay attention to when focused thinking isn’t getting you anywhere; perhaps it has turned into obsessing over the same answers or approaches. Consider whether experimenting with a new strategy or talking ideas through with others might be more likely to result in success. Take breaks to let your brain relax and get unstuck. Expand your range of skills for reaching insights and coming up with new ideas; don’t be someone who sees every problem as a nail because your only tool is a hammer. And when you do find yourself ruminating, disrupt it by doing a few minutes of an absorbing activity, such as a puzzle. This can be a surprisingly effective way to break your brain out of a rut. Adapted from “5 Ways Smart People Sabotage Their Success,” by Alice Boyes
14 comments
Read more