|
|
8 Dec 2006 18:03:03 SMS a luxury bus at your doorstep Public transport has assumed greater importance in the recent times as governments and people all over the world have been looking for ways to conserve fuel, reduce emissions and provide smooth transport to commuters. Researchers in the Netherlands are developing a Superbus that runs on electricity. The Superbus has the appearance of a Limousine - a long luxury car driven by a chauffeur - and travels at speeds of 155 miles per hour. The Superbus is equipped with radar equipment, which enables it to recognise obstructions more than 300 metres before and steers itself around them, apart from an electronic guidance system that responds at breakneck speed. To catch the bus, the passengers have to send a text message and the bus picks them up from wherever they are on the special speedways built for the system. The passengers can ask for the service of a Superbus anytime they want want by sending an SMS. The bus does not have any fixed stops. It will collect passengers and drop them at points based on their SMS requests. While on the journey, the passenger can take care of his work or simply sit back and relax. This service will be available to the passengers for a fare comparable to that of the current day public transport. The Superbus is a new public transport system that is being developed by Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. The University, the Ministry of Transport and Public Works and the Ministry of Economic Affairs have funded the project. The Superbus is capable of switching effortlessly between ordinary roads and the specially built 'supertracks', on which it is capable of achieving speeds of up to 155 mph (250 kmph). With such flexibility, the Superbus can become a feasible alternative to the relatively more expensive magnetic-levitation trains. While on the road, the Superbus would be driven in a normal fashion and while on the 'supertrack', it would be on an autopilot. The Superbus, at 250 kmph, uses only as much power as a normal bus at 100 kmph. It has an ergonomic interior design and personal multimedia equipment in the cabins. Efforts are also on to develop a kind of door-to-door transportation. To enable such arrangement, a system is likely to be evolved for the Superbus in which passengers can order transportation over the Internet. The idea is to harness Information and Communication Technology (ICT) applications in this transportation system. The Superbus will be a combination of innovations with electrically powered, rechargeable batteries and light-weight body and other parts. The individual doors of the bus allow for quick alighting and boarding of passengers. If things go according to the plan, the first Superbus is expected to be running by the 2008 Olympic Games. Content Team -- BSNL Portal -- Intelligroup Asia Pvt. Ltd. |
|
|