Earlier this year the design of the TEB1 was revealed as a traffic beating solution. The electrically powered bus stands 4,8 m tall and travels comfortably over vehicles shorter than 2,8 m while making use of an electric power source positioned at the side of the road. The whole concept seemed like something that wasn’t from this time but the TEB1 straddling bus has completed its first test drive in Qinhuangdao on a 300 m route.
Despite experiencing a successful run, engineers have admitted to some critical design flaws such as vehicles not being able to turn out of the lane due to the stretching wheelbase along the sides and the inability of tall trucks being able to overtake the slower travelling bus. Taller vehicles that find themselves stuck ahead will also cause unwanted delays for the bus.
The developers have not been able to say when a full scale production will take place but the future does look promising and I think we can all agree that something like this would work well here in South Africa.
