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Transit Elevated Bus
Transit Elevated Bus
from Wikipedia
Model of the bus at InnoTrans 2016.

The Transit Elevated Bus (TEB) (simplified Chinese: 巴铁; traditional Chinese: 巴鐵; pinyin: Bā Tiě) was a proposed new bus concept where a guided bus straddles above road traffic, giving it the alternative names such as straddling bus, straddle bus, land airbus, or tunnel bus by international media.

A trial was scheduled to begin in Beijing's Mentougou District by late 2010.[1] However the project was not given authorization by the district authorities because the technology was considered to be too immature, and further trials were subject to the development of a concept to prove the system actually works.[2][3] The city of Manaus, Brazil, has also evaluated the option of installing a straddle bus in its city streets.[4] At the time of the 2016 unveiling of the scale model, it was reported that a prototype would be deployed by mid 2016 in Qinhuangdao. Four other Chinese cities, Nanyang, Shenyang, Tianjin, and Zhoukou, had also signed contracts for pilot projects involving the construction of test tracks beginning in 2016.[3][5]

However a test of a prototype design was scrapped in June 2017 over concerns about its viability.[6]

In July 2017, 32 people involved into the project were detained by Chinese authorities on suspicion of investment fraud.[7] The prototype bus was removed from the test track in early July.[8]

History

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The idea of Transit Elevated Bus was proposed in 1969 by two American architects, Craig Hodgetts and Lester Walker, as a public transport concept called the "Bos-Wash Landliner".[9] Later, another version was designed by Shenzhen Hashi Future Parking Equipment Company (深圳華世未來泊車設備有限公司), and the concept, known as 3D Express Bus (立体快巴) at the time, was unveiled at the 13th Beijing International High-tech Expo in May 2010.[10][11] A working scale model was showcased at the 2016 Beijing International High-Tech Expo.[5]

Description

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In China there are four main modes of public transportation: subway, light rail, bus rapid transit (BRT), and normal buses. The express coach would be a substitute for BRT and augment its advantages. To modify the road for the bus, two options are available: rails can be laid on the edges of the lanes that the bus occupies, or two white lines can be painted on the road to facilitate use of autopilot technology.[12] Rails would offer less wheel rolling resistance and better energy efficiency. For either option, it may be necessary to widen the lanes occupied by the bus to accommodate the bus wheels and undercarriage whilst allowing other vehicles to pass under the bus two abreast. Since the bus is no higher than a tractor-trailer, roadway overpasses will usually not be a problem.

The bus would run along a fixed route, its passenger compartment spanning the width of two traffic lanes. Its undercarriage rides along the edges of the two lanes it straddles and the overall height is 4,000 to 4,500 mm (13 ft 1 in to 14 ft 9 in).[12][13] Vehicles lower than 2,000 mm (6 ft 7 in) high will be able to pass underneath the bus, reducing the number of traffic jams caused by ordinary buses loading and unloading at bus stops.

Passengers on board the bus are expected to experience a ride comparable to riding in the upper level of a double decker bus. They will board and alight at stations at the side of the road with platforms at the bus floor height similar to stations of an elevated railway, or via stairs descending through the roof of the bus from a station similar to a pedestrian overpass. The bus will be electrically powered using overhead lines or other roof electrical contact systems designed for it, supplemented with photovoltaic panels, batteries, or supercapacitors on board. It will travel at up to 60 km/h (37 mph). Different versions will carry up to 1,200 passengers, with the larger versions being articulated to facilitate going around curves.[12][13] A working scale model of the now called Transit Explore Bus (TEB) was showcased at the 2016 Beijing International High-Tech Expo.[5]

The bus would have alarms to warn cars traveling too close to it, and signals to warn other vehicles when it is about to turn. It would have inflatable evacuation slides similar to those of an aircraft.[14] Optional features could include sensors to keep it from colliding with a person or object (such as an overheight vehicle in front), warning lights and safety curtains at the rear to keep drivers of overheight vehicles from going underneath, repeater traffic signals underneath to relay the indications of traffic signals up ahead, and animated light displays to simulate stationary objects to prevent disorientation of drivers underneath.

According to the 2010 proposal, it would cost about 500 million yuan (~US$74.5 million) to build the bus with a 40 km (25 mi) guideway. This is claimed to be at 10% of the cost of building an equivalent subway, and is estimated to reduce traffic congestion by 20–30%. The Chairman of the company has said that it would only take a year for one to be built.[12]

At the 2016 unveiling of the Transit Explore Bus (TEB) scale model, Mr. Song claimed each bus will cost about 30 million renminbi, or about US$4.5 million, now estimated at one-sixteenth the price of a subway train.[3] According to China’s Xinhua News Agency, the bus can carry 300 people.[15]

Proposed and actual trials

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The cities of Shijiazhuang, in Hebei Province, and Wuhu, in Anhui Province, had applied to obtain financing.[13] A total of 185 km (115 mi) of track was set for construction in the Mentougou District of Beijing for late 2010.[16] The trial run was cancelled due to doubts about the project.[3]

The city of Manaus, Brazil signed a letter of intent with the Chinese developers to create a straddling bus system.[4]

At the time of the 2016 unveiling of the scale model, it was reported that a prototype would be deployed by mid-2016 in Qinhuangdao, a coastal city about 300 km (190 mi) east of Beijing.[5] Song Youzhou, the designer of the bus, said in an interview that other four Chinese cities, Nanyang, Shenyang, Tianjin, and Zhoukou, have also signed contracts with his company for pilot projects involving the construction of hundreds of kilometres of tracks beginning in 2016.[3]

The inaugural test of such a bus was carried out on a 300 m (980 ft) track in the city of Qinhuangdao, Hebei in August 2016, using the Transit Explore Bus 1 (TEB-1) model which was 22,000 mm (866 in) long, 7,800 mm (25 ft 7 in) wide and 4,800 mm (15 ft 9 in) high, with a capacity of 300 passengers.[17][18][19]

In August 2016, China's state media People's Daily Online labelled the tested Transit Elevated Bus a complete scam after Qinghuangdao government officials said that they were unaware of the test.[20]

On 9 December 2016, it was reported after the unveiling in August, investors withdrew, and the TEB "has been left in a rusted-out barn — in the middle of a major road".[21]

Recognition

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The Straddling Bus was selected by Time magazine as one of the "50 Best Inventions of the Year 2010".[22]

Criticism and controversies

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Critics of the project when the concept was unveiled in 2010 have questioned whether the hovering bus could interact safely with other vehicles, particularly when drivers manoeuvre to change lanes. Critics had also argued that the tracks would require relatively straight roads not found in many older urban areas, and that the overhead boarding stations that the bus needed would take up too much space.[3][4]

According to Song Youzhou, the project's chief engineer, guardrails would be constructed between the bus tracks and the car lanes that pass through the elevated bus to prevent traffic accidents. The rails would be able to absorb at least 70% of a collision’s impact to reduce damage to the bus and other vehicles. Lanes for the elevated bus would be limited to passenger vehicles no higher than 2.2 m (7 ft 3 in), and the buses are designed to meet zoning and bridge height regulations in each city. He also said that the buses were fully capable of turning corners, though the cars underneath must wait until the buses have passed before turning themselves.[3]

In 2016 Mr. Song said to Chinese media that he had arranged to have Shanghai Jiao Tong University's Institute of Automotive Engineering to assess the feasibility of the TEB design. However, the institute’s director denied that he had any involvement with Mr. Song. The institute’s vice director and two professors said in the same report that they had conducted a design analysis, but that it was a personal initiative. Based on their assessment, the professors said, the design was "basically feasible" but "not perfect".[3] Southwest Jiaotong University also denied the involvement of technical research and development. "It is true that two researchers from Laboratory of Traction Power had a feasibility meeting with the company", the deputy director of the lab Wang Kaiyun said, "but the comment on it was 'suspicious' (悬)."[23]

In July 2017 the track was demolished after Qinghuangdao refused to extend the TEB developer's land contract which was scheduled to expire in July.[8] In July the bus was removed and police arrested 32 individuals for "illegally raising funds to finance the TEB" after complaints from 72 investors were filed with them.[8]

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The Transit Elevated Bus (TEB), also known as the straddle bus, is an innovative but ultimately unrealized public transportation concept developed in , featuring an electric-powered vehicle that operates on elevated rails while straddling roadways, enabling smaller vehicles to pass underneath and thereby aiming to alleviate urban . The concept was proposed in 2010 by Hashi Future Parking Equipment Co. The was later acquired by Beijing-based TEB Technology Development Co., Ltd., which developed the project in the by combining elements of buses and systems, with the main passenger compartment elevated approximately 2 meters above the road surface to create a "tunnel" for cars below. The prototype, unveiled in 2016, measured about 22 meters (72 feet) in length, 7.8 meters (25.6 feet) in width, and 4.8 meters (15.7 feet) in height, with a capacity for up to 300 passengers—equivalent to 40 conventional buses—and a top speed of around 60 km/h (37 mph). It was designed to run on dedicated tracks embedded in existing roads, powered electrically, with one TEB estimated to save 800 metric tons of fuel and reduce carbon emissions by 2,500 tons annually by replacing 40 conventional buses. A short test run of the TEB-1 prototype occurred on August 2, 2016, in , Province, covering a 300-meter straight track to assess braking, drag, and power efficiency, but this was an internal evaluation rather than a full public demonstration. Plans initially included commercial deployment in , , by late 2016 and an R&D base in , , for starting in 2017, but these were delayed due to regulatory approvals and challenges. Despite initial hype, the project faced significant technical hurdles, including its high center of gravity risking instability, incompatibility with vehicles taller than 2.1 meters (limiting usability on roads where maximum vehicle height is 4.2–4.5 meters), difficulties navigating turns or intersections, and clearance issues under urban bridges. By late 2016, the prototype was abandoned and left rusting at the test site, obstructing local traffic, while funding—raised through peer-to-peer lending platforms promising high returns—came under scrutiny for ties to fraudulent schemes. In July 2017, Chinese authorities arrested 32 individuals involved in the project on suspicion of investment fraud, confirming it as a scam that had misled investors and stalled any further development. As of 2025, the TEB remains a cautionary example of overambitious urban transport innovation, with no revival or implementation reported.

Concept and Design

Origins

The Transit Elevated Bus (TEB) concept was proposed in 2010 by Chinese engineer Song Youzhou as an innovative solution to alleviate severe urban traffic congestion in China. This design drew inspiration from earlier elevated transit ideas, including the "Bos-Wash Landliner" introduced in 1969 by American architects Craig Hodgetts and Lester Walker in New York Magazine. The Landliner was envisioned as a high-capacity, elevated vehicle capable of transporting up to 1,400 passengers at speeds of 200 miles per hour along the densely populated Boston-to-Washington corridor, aiming to combat escalating urban congestion and reduce reliance on automobiles in the Northeast megalopolis. The Landliner drew conceptual influences from prior elevated transit innovations, including 19th-century systems that utilized single-rail guideways for efficient urban mobility and early ideas dating back to the mid-1800s, which sought to combine bus flexibility with rail-like precision. Unlike fully segregated or traditional elevated trains, however, the Landliner was uniquely designed to existing roadways, permitting lower vehicles to pass beneath it while maintaining partial integration with ground-level traffic flows. This hybrid approach promised minimal disruption to current infrastructure but required specialized air-cushion bearings for near-frictionless operation. Despite its forward-thinking design, the Bos-Wash Landliner remained an unbuilt conceptual proposal, thwarted by the prohibitive construction costs of elevated guideways across urban areas and stringent regulatory barriers in the 1970s, including environmental impact assessments and land-use approvals in a politically fragmented corridor.

Technical Specifications

The TEB-1 measures 22 meters in length, 7.8 meters in width, and 4.8 meters in height, providing a 2-meter clearance beneath the compartment to accommodate vehicles passing underneath. This design allows for a capacity of up to 300 individuals in the single-unit , with scalable configurations in larger articulated versions potentially accommodating up to 1,200 passengers by linking multiple units. The vehicle's structure consists of an elevated supported by legs that raise the main compartment above the roadway, enabling it to two lanes of traffic. is provided by electric motors, primarily powered by overhead electrical lines or onboard batteries, with supplementary solar panels integrated into the roof for auxiliary . The system achieves a top operational speed of 60 km/h. The guideway infrastructure features 2-meter-high rails positioned along the edges of two dedicated lanes, designed to support the bus's undercarriage while permitting standard automobiles under 2 meters in height to drive unimpeded below. costs are estimated at approximately $4.5 million per bus unit, with a 40-kilometer guideway segment projected at $74.5 million, representing a fraction of traditional subway development expenses. Safety provisions include an emergency braking mechanism utilizing deployable additional wheels to halt the vehicle rapidly, along with collision avoidance sensors to detect and respond to obstacles such as overheight vehicles or pedestrians in the path. The passenger compartments are constructed in a modular fashion, facilitating easy connection of multiple units for extended operations and maintenance flexibility.

Operational Principles

The Transit Elevated Bus (TEB), also known as the straddle bus, operates by running on dedicated elevated rails installed along the edges of existing roadways, allowing the bus to straddle two lanes of while permitting smaller —those under 2 in —to pass unimpeded beneath its . This design effectively transforms the road into a functional underpass for the bus without requiring full , enabling it to bypass ground-level congestion on fixed routes. The bus's elevated frame, supported by wheeled legs on the rails, maintains clearance for underlying , with route planning incorporating elevated sections over intersections or integration with signals to minimize disruptions. Propulsion is provided by an electric drive system, drawing power from overhead lines or onboard batteries, which supports speeds of up to 60 km/h along the guided tracks. Operation avoids direct conflicts through pre-planned elevated bypasses or synchronized signaling, ensuring smooth progression without halting for cross-traffic. Passenger flow is optimized for high-capacity urban transit, with stations featuring side-loading platforms aligned to the bus's elevated for efficient boarding and alighting. Multiple access doors along the sides facilitate rapid turnover, accommodating up to 300 passengers per unit, while integration with smart traffic management systems allows for priority signaling at key points to maintain schedule adherence. In terms of , the TEB is projected to transport up to 1,200 passengers per bus—equivalent to the capacity of 40 traditional buses—thereby alleviating road congestion and reducing reliance on multiple vehicles. Its electric operation further lowers emissions compared to diesel alternatives, with estimates suggesting significant annual savings in and carbon output through consolidated passenger movement.

Development and Trials

Initial Proposals

The concept of the Transit Elevated Bus, initially known as the 3D Express Coach, was first publicly unveiled in May 2010 at the 13th Beijing International High-Tech Expo by Shenzhen Huashi Future Parking Equipment Co. This presentation featured a of the proposed vehicle, highlighting its innovative design to straddle roadways and accommodate passengers above regular traffic. Shenzhen Huashi Future Parking Equipment Co., founded in 2007, initially specialized in parking technologies before shifting focus to urban transit solutions with this project. The company claimed an initial investment of approximately 500 million yuan (about US$74 million at 2010 rates) to develop the concept and build a 40 km guideway, positioning it as a practical innovation for China's growing transportation needs. Plans for deployment targeted Beijing's Mentougou District, with construction of a 185 km (115 mile) test track scheduled to begin by late , intended to support up to 40 such buses as a replacement for conventional ones. However, the was ultimately cancelled later that year due to insufficient funding and challenges in approvals from local authorities. Promoters presented the 3D Express Coach as a cost-effective alternative to subway systems, estimated at just 40% of the expense, aimed at alleviating severe in Chinese megacities while reducing emissions through electric and integration. This narrative emphasized its potential to cut traffic delays by 20-30% without disrupting existing road infrastructure. The idea drew loose inspiration from U.S. elevated transit experiments, adapting them for modern .

Prototype Construction

The prototype for the Transit Elevated Bus (TEB), known as TEB-1, was constructed by TebTech, a Chinese focused on innovative transportation solutions, with building efforts commencing in early 2016 following renewed interest in the concept originally proposed in 2010. The construction process was expedited to meet ambitious timelines, taking approximately three months to complete the full-scale model, allowing for its unveiling and initial movement on a dedicated track by August 2016. To improve feasibility and reduce engineering complexities, the incorporated significant modifications from the initial designs, including a reduced length of 22 meters—down from the proposed 60 meters—and a width of 7.8 meters to two lanes of while permitting smaller to pass underneath. The vehicle was designed for electric propulsion, utilizing lithium-ion batteries as the primary power source, supplemented by solar panels on the roof to provide auxiliary energy and enhance . These changes aimed to balance capacity, with room for up to 300 passengers, against practical constraints. Construction occurred in Qinhuangdao, Province, where TebTech oversaw fabrication amid challenges related to and rapid development. The project relied heavily on private investments raised through online platforms rather than direct support, leading to cost pressures estimated at around 500 million yuan (approximately $75 million) for initial phases, though exact prototype expenses were not publicly detailed. Delays in securing sufficient capital contributed to overruns, prompting increased dependence on investor contributions to sustain progress. Prior to testing, preparations included the assembly of a 300-meter elevated test track in , completed by mid-2016 to evaluate the prototype's structural integrity, braking, and alignment systems. This infrastructure allowed for controlled low-speed trials, ensuring the bus could safely straddle the beam and maintain stability before any passenger operations.

Testing and Cancellation

In August 2016, the Transit Elevated Bus (TEB-1) prototype underwent its initial road test on a 300-meter controlled track in , Province, . The trial, described as an internal evaluation, involved unmanned runs at low speeds to assess basic functionality, including the vehicle's ability to the guideway. It demonstrated preliminary straddling motion as the bus rolled along the track a few times, but no passenger loads were carried during these operations. The test revealed several performance challenges that highlighted the prototype's limitations. Structural vibrations were noted during movement, raising concerns about the vehicle's integrity under load. Alignment issues with the guideway emerged, particularly in maintaining stability on even the short, straight test section, while the proved incompatible with uneven road surfaces beyond the controlled environment. These problems, combined with difficulties in such as turning corners and accommodating varying vehicle heights underneath, contributed to the rapid abandonment of the trial, leaving the prototype idle and obstructing local traffic. By June 2017, local authorities in halted the project entirely due to ongoing viability concerns and irregularities in its promotion. The was dismantled and relocated to a nearby storage facility, while the test track was demolished to restore normal road use after months of causing bottlenecks. In July 2017, police detained 32 individuals, including the CEO of the involved company Huaying Kailai and other employees, on charges of and illegal related to misleading investors about the project's progress and potential returns. As of 2025, the Transit Elevated Bus project has seen no further development or revival, with the concept remaining stalled following the 2017 shutdown.

Reception and Legacy

Recognition and Media Coverage

The Transit Elevated Bus, also known as the Straddling Bus, received notable recognition from Time magazine in 2010, when it was named one of the "50 Best Inventions of the Year" for its innovative potential to alleviate urban by allowing vehicles to pass underneath the elevated structure, offering a cost-effective alternative to subways. The concept garnered extensive media coverage in 2010, with outlets like highlighting its capacity to transport up to 1,200 passengers while reducing by 25-30% on major routes and cutting carbon emissions significantly through partial . Renewed attention in 2016 focused on its first test run, portrayed by as a futuristic solution capable of carrying 300 passengers at speeds up to 60 km/h, replacing 40 conventional buses and costing far less than underground systems. Similarly, described the trial as a glide over jams, emphasizing its efficiency in saving road space for cars below. International interest surged through exhibitions, such as its debut model at the 19th International High-Tech Expo in May 2016, where it drew crowds for its novel design. The bus's appearance often evoked comparisons, with Bloomberg noting how it transformed speculative futuristic transport into a tangible prototype, captivating global audiences with visions of elevated mobility. This publicity facilitated promotional gains in , including a pilot commitment in Beijing's Mentougou district for a 9 km route by late 2010 and expressions of interest from several other cities, aiding early partnerships for development. The 2016 trial further amplified media hype, positioning the project as an emblem of innovative urban solutions.

Criticisms and Challenges

The Transit Elevated Bus (TEB) faced significant concerns due to its elevated design and interaction with existing urban traffic. Critics highlighted the limited ground clearance of approximately 2.1 meters (7 feet), which would prevent taller vehicles such as SUVs, vans, or trucks from passing underneath, potentially leading to vehicles becoming stuck or causing collisions. Additionally, drivers of vehicles beneath the TEB would have obstructed visibility of traffic signs, signals, and lights, increasing the risk of accidents, while the bus's 7.8-meter (25.6-foot) width spanning two lanes raised fears of side-swipes from careless motorists or issues with door operations. Maintenance challenges were also noted, as accessing the structure at 4.8 meters (15.7 feet) high would require safety harnesses and specialized equipment, complicating routine upkeep in real-world conditions. Furthermore, doubts persisted about the TEB's structural integrity to support hundreds of passengers while navigating urban obstacles like potholes, curves, or pedestrian overpasses, potentially exacerbating rather than alleviating hazards. Economic viability emerged as a major hurdle, with the TEB's high development and deployment costs outweighing its purported benefits. Each unit was estimated to cost around $4.5 million, far exceeding the price of multiple conventional electric buses that could utilize existing without dedicated tracks. Retrofitting roads for the required elevated rails and stations would demand substantial upfront investments, including road modifications and clearance adjustments, rendering the system less cost-effective than proven alternatives like (BRT). Promoters' claims of reducing congestion by up to 30% remained unproven in practical trials, as the system's reliance on straight, dedicated paths limited its applicability in varied urban environments. Urban transport experts argued that such innovative vehicles fail to address root causes of traffic issues, such as imbalanced , making the TEB an inefficient use of resources compared to scalable options like subways or optimized BRT networks. Legal and ethical issues further undermined the project, primarily through allegations of against its promoters. In July 2017, Chinese authorities arrested 32 individuals, including company head Bai Zhiming, on suspicions of illegal and , after investors had contributed approximately 9.1 billion yuan (about $1.3 billion) expecting 12% returns that never materialized. The scheme involved exaggerated claims about the TEB's readiness and impact, disseminated through financing platforms, leading to significant financial losses and regulatory scrutiny over novel transit approvals in . These developments highlighted ethical concerns regarding the promotion of unfeasible technologies to attract funding without adequate validation. Broader challenges included environmental impacts from infrastructure construction and scalability limitations in dense urban settings. Building the elevated tracks would involve extensive concrete and steel work, potentially disrupting ecosystems and generating construction-related emissions, though specific assessments were lacking due to the project's early stage. Scalability proved problematic, as the TEB's rigid, rail-dependent struggled with the irregular layouts of Chinese megacities, including sharp turns and varying elevations, favoring established systems like BRT over such experimental approaches.

References

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