Public Transport Flys Over Traffic Jams in China

An interesting system was unveiled at the Beijing International High-tech Expo in May, consisting of a 4 to 4.5 meter-high subway car with passenger boarding on the upper level and a hollow shell on the lower level for vehicles to pass through.

The 'Straddling Bus' looks kind of like an above-ground subway - except for the part where regular cars go under the subway cars.

The creator spouts off some impressive statistics for the system: capacity for 1200 to 1400 passengers, reduction in traffic jams by 20% to 30%, and cheap building costs (10% of the cost of a traditional subway). It would definately be an innovative and efficient use of land and infrastructure... but the potential safety aspects will have to be bulletproof by the time a trial run arrives.