A company in China has come up with an innovative way to alleviate mounting traffic and congestion problems in the country’s urban areas. It's called the "Land Airbus", and it may very well define China’s transportation future.
The "Land Airbus" is essentially a large train-like vehicle that straddles roadways, requiring neither elevated tracks nor tunnels. It sits on stilts that connect to either side of the road, allowing regular cars to freely pass underneath it. The vehicle will move along fixed tracks at a speed of about 25 miles per hour.
The original plan—made public in 2010—called for a 20-foot wide straddling bus that could carry 1200 passengers and replace 40 conventional city buses. The vehicle would be powered by solar panels and municipal electricity, according to the plan, saving 860 tons of fuel per year and preventing 2,640 tons of carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere.