10 Creative Public Transportation Stories From 2016 — post content
Caring about sustainability, confronting environmental issues, and producing faster ways to travel made 2016 a year of innovative public transportation projects and visions. From Elon Musk's hyperloop project by BIG in the United Kingdom, to self-driving buses and human-powered sport boats, I continue our annual tour with the top 10 stories of public transportation in 2016.
HYPERLOOP CREATED WITH BIG, ARUP, AND AECOM
In November, the Bjarke Ingels group revealed more details about the hyperloop transportation system that would connect the UAE cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi in just 12 minutes. Existing connections between the two city centers range from a train ride of more than an hour to a public bus of more than two hours. According to the design team, the plan is based on a study of how an intra-city and inter-city transportation network can be integrated and merged with existing infrastructure. The announcement coincided with the announcement of an important agreement between hyperloop one and Dubai's roads and transport authority.
Hyperloop is a conceptual high-speed transportation system proposed by entrepreneur Elon Musk, which involves low-pressure tubes in which pressurized capsules ride on an air cushion driven by linear induction motors and air compressors. Hyperloop technology was clearly Musk and SpaceX-sourced, and others were encouraged to take the ideas and develop them further. To this end, several companies were established, and dozens of interdisciplinary student-led teams are currently working to advance the technology.
Weston Williamson's proposal leverages Australia's unique development typology (large trade city centers with open trade routes), and is a hyper-loop scheme project that stretches between adelaide, melbourne, canberra, sydney, and brisbane. Potentially, the plan would reduce travel times from melbourne to brisbane from a one-and-a-half-day train journey to just 90 minutes. With this claim, the project aims to revolutionize commuter travel, revitalize the country's economy, and significantly impact climate change targets.
First plans were unveiled for a cable car network connecting Chicago's downtown. Designed by architectural firms Davis Brody Bond and Marks Barfield, the 'Chicago skyline' is a project that creates an aerial tourist attraction connecting the navy pier, Chicago lakefront, and downtown along the riverfront. The project is supported by local business leaders Laurence Geller, chairman and CEO of Geller capital partners, and Lou Raizin, founder of Broadway in Chicago. Designed to showcase the city's rich architectural heritage, the system will have stations positioned near millennium park and Michigan avenue, encouraging visitors to explore the city without driving.
Carlo Ratti Associati announced the parachute traveling sports project—a distinguished human-powered boat sailing along the Seine river in Paris—in November. Developed as a joint venture, the project responds to local demand related to urban transportation and infrastructure. The boat is what could be called a 20-meter 'fitness ship' that can easily accommodate 45 individuals and features a different range of ARTIS fitness equipment (provided by technogym), powering the cruising vehicle by using energy generated during in-vehicle exercise presented as a workout session. In addition, fitness enthusiasts can track their energy data and outdoor conditions through an extended reality screen displaying real-time information.
While the first prototypes of self-driving cars are hitting the road, Amsterdam is creating a new project running with international thrust for autonomous vehicles. Roboat research is said to be the world's first large-scale research with rich opportunities and tests for water autonomous systems. Carlo Ratti, MIT professor and lead researcher of the robo-program, says, "Imagine a fleet of autonomous boats for the transport of goods and people. Also imagine dynamic and temporary floating infrastructure such as bridges and gangways that can be assembled in a few hours or disassembled on demand—a project that thinks about that."
With the City Pilot, Mercedes-Benz took on the city bus as the future bus transportation vehicle. Three groups, including passengers, drivers, and bus operators, can benefit from the innovative design and groundbreaking technology. The bus blends with its surroundings in terms of both exterior and interior design and performs driving by communicating with the surroundings of the technology used as it travels along its dedicated lane.
The world's first elevated bus carried out its first test drive in Qinhuangdao, Hebei province, China. The giant vehicle, 22 meters long and approximately 8 meters wide, with a structure reaching about 5 meters in height above cars, provides transportation by reducing congestion and speeding up regular vehicle travel. The bus, which can accommodate more than 300 passengers, separates roads and allows personal vehicles to pass safely beneath it.
UPDATE: sources reported that the project is on hold.
The Dancer bus aims to create a new generation in city buses. Created by JSC "Vejo PROJEKTAI"; it is a vision-based approach to the automotive industry that wants to integrate the original concepts used in bus design into the public transport area with new technological materials and the use of wind energy. The aim of the 'Dancer' is to make public transport an integral part of Lithuanian cities. With this proposal, the creators are mixing technology, art, industry, and society to improve the urban environment.
The beautiful tram, voted on by designer Ora Ito and Alstom and the public, unveiled the tram layout that will roam the streets of France. The collaboration resulted in an organic and rational tram project for the next-generation 'citadis X05' city-wide trams. In shape, it is designed to pass through the historic city, enveloping a new wave of contemporary urban infrastructure. To seamlessly integrate the system with the city, the tram will charge from the ground to avoid prominent overhead lines and cables.
Cycling has become a major popular activity in Poland thanks to recent investments in cycling infrastructure. Now, the recently opened bike path located in northern Poland—near Lidzbark Warminski in the Mazury region—increases the safety of cyclists with its paths that can illuminate at night and glow in bright blue tones; comfort; and sustainability in operation.
HYPERLOOP CREATED WITH BIG, ARUP, AND AECOM
In November, the Bjarke Ingels group revealed more details about the hyperloop transportation system that would connect the UAE cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi in just 12 minutes. Existing connections between the two city centers range from a train ride of more than an hour to a public bus of more than two hours. According to the design team, the plan is based on a study of how an intra-city and inter-city transportation network can be integrated and merged with existing infrastructure. The announcement coincided with the announcement of an important agreement between hyperloop one and Dubai's roads and transport authority.
Hyperloop is a conceptual high-speed transportation system proposed by entrepreneur Elon Musk, which involves low-pressure tubes in which pressurized capsules ride on an air cushion driven by linear induction motors and air compressors. Hyperloop technology was clearly Musk and SpaceX-sourced, and others were encouraged to take the ideas and develop them further. To this end, several companies were established, and dozens of interdisciplinary student-led teams are currently working to advance the technology.
HYPERLOOP CREATED BY WESTON WILLIAMSON
Weston Williamson's proposal leverages Australia's unique development typology (large trade city centers with open trade routes), and is a hyper-loop scheme project that stretches between adelaide, melbourne, canberra, sydney, and brisbane. Potentially, the plan would reduce travel times from melbourne to brisbane from a one-and-a-half-day train journey to just 90 minutes. With this claim, the project aims to revolutionize commuter travel, revitalize the country's economy, and significantly impact climate change targets.
CHICAGO AERIAL CABLE BUS CREATED BY DAVIS BRODY BOND AND MARKS BARFIELD
First plans were unveiled for a cable car network connecting Chicago's downtown. Designed by architectural firms Davis Brody Bond and Marks Barfield, the 'Chicago skyline' is a project that creates an aerial tourist attraction connecting the navy pier, Chicago lakefront, and downtown along the riverfront. The project is supported by local business leaders Laurence Geller, chairman and CEO of Geller capital partners, and Lou Raizin, founder of Broadway in Chicago. Designed to showcase the city's rich architectural heritage, the system will have stations positioned near millennium park and Michigan avenue, encouraging visitors to explore the city without driving.
HUMAN-POWERED GYM BOAT FROM CARLO RATTI
Carlo Ratti Associati announced the parachute traveling sports project—a distinguished human-powered boat sailing along the Seine river in Paris—in November. Developed as a joint venture, the project responds to local demand related to urban transportation and infrastructure. The boat is what could be called a 20-meter 'fitness ship' that can easily accommodate 45 individuals and features a different range of ARTIS fitness equipment (provided by technogym), powering the cruising vehicle by using energy generated during in-vehicle exercise presented as a workout session. In addition, fitness enthusiasts can track their energy data and outdoor conditions through an extended reality screen displaying real-time information.
ROBOAT CREATED IN COLLABORATION BETWEEN MIT AND THE AMS INSTITUTE
While the first prototypes of self-driving cars are hitting the road, Amsterdam is creating a new project running with international thrust for autonomous vehicles. Roboat research is said to be the world's first large-scale research with rich opportunities and tests for water autonomous systems. Carlo Ratti, MIT professor and lead researcher of the robo-program, says, "Imagine a fleet of autonomous boats for the transport of goods and people. Also imagine dynamic and temporary floating infrastructure such as bridges and gangways that can be assembled in a few hours or disassembled on demand—a project that thinks about that."
SELF-DRIVING CITY BUS CREATED BY MERCEDES-BENZ
With the City Pilot, Mercedes-Benz took on the city bus as the future bus transportation vehicle. Three groups, including passengers, drivers, and bus operators, can benefit from the innovative design and groundbreaking technology. The bus blends with its surroundings in terms of both exterior and interior design and performs driving by communicating with the surroundings of the technology used as it travels along its dedicated lane.
CHINA'S ELEVATED BUS CREATED BY TEB TECHNOLOGY
The world's first elevated bus carried out its first test drive in Qinhuangdao, Hebei province, China. The giant vehicle, 22 meters long and approximately 8 meters wide, with a structure reaching about 5 meters in height above cars, provides transportation by reducing congestion and speeding up regular vehicle travel. The bus, which can accommodate more than 300 passengers, separates roads and allows personal vehicles to pass safely beneath it.
UPDATE: sources reported that the project is on hold.
DANCER BUS CREATED BY JSC 'VĖJO PROJEKTAI'
The Dancer bus aims to create a new generation in city buses. Created by JSC "Vejo PROJEKTAI"; it is a vision-based approach to the automotive industry that wants to integrate the original concepts used in bus design into the public transport area with new technological materials and the use of wind energy. The aim of the 'Dancer' is to make public transport an integral part of Lithuanian cities. With this proposal, the creators are mixing technology, art, industry, and society to improve the urban environment.
BEAUTIFUL TRAM CREATED BY ORA ITO AND ALSTOM
The beautiful tram, voted on by designer Ora Ito and Alstom and the public, unveiled the tram layout that will roam the streets of France. The collaboration resulted in an organic and rational tram project for the next-generation 'citadis X05' city-wide trams. In shape, it is designed to pass through the historic city, enveloping a new wave of contemporary urban infrastructure. To seamlessly integrate the system with the city, the tram will charge from the ground to avoid prominent overhead lines and cables.
GLOW-IN-THE-DARK BIKE PATH CREATED BY TPA Sp. z. o. o.
Cycling has become a major popular activity in Poland thanks to recent investments in cycling infrastructure. Now, the recently opened bike path located in northern Poland—near Lidzbark Warminski in the Mazury region—increases the safety of cyclists with its paths that can illuminate at night and glow in bright blue tones; comfort; and sustainability in operation.
