Using public transportation is becoming an inevitable trend as fuel prices continue to rise, traffic congestion frequently occurs in cities, and environmental pollution becomes increasingly severe. Businessweek magazine has selected the 10 most advanced, well-operating, and environmentally friendly public transport modes worldwide.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses (California Fuel Cell Partnership)
In collaboration with partners Chevron and Hydrogenics, the California Fuel Cell Partnership launched hydrogen fuel cell buses in 1999, with an estimated total cost of $39 million. California, a state in the United States known for its strict vehicle emissions regulations, introduced 9 buses manufactured by ISE and Thor Industries. These buses feature a combination of fuel cells and hybrid-electric systems, each costing over $3 million.
Driverless Taxis (BBA, Heathrow Airport, London)
Cardiff (Wales) has successfully implemented an extremely modern transportation system with the public transportation system ULTRa in 2002, costing an estimated $4 million. These automated vehicles, designed to carry 4 passengers, were slated to enter commercial operation at Heathrow Airport, London, in 2008.
Electric Cars (Global Electric Motocars – DaimlerChrysler)
Although electric cars have lower speeds, their zero-emission fuel ensures they are ideal for public transportation in schools, shopping areas, or crowded urban centers. These are the “flagship vehicles” of Global Electric Motocars, owned by the German automaker DaimlerChrysler. Last year, the company introduced a 12-volt chemical battery vehicle capable of traveling 64 kilometers per charge at a speed of 30 km/h.
Automated Subway System (Dubai)
Dubai, a modern city in the United Arab Emirates, currently has a population of 1.1 million people. With an annual growth rate of 6.4%, the population is projected to reach 3 million by 2017. To mitigate traffic congestion, the city has embarked on building a fully automated subway system, the largest in the world, spanning 320 kilometers. The first phase (70 km) is scheduled for completion in 2010. This system is being constructed by a consortium of four companies: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Obayashi, Kajima from Japan, and a Spanish company, Turkish, with an investment of $4.2 billion.
Shinkansen Trains (East Japan Railway Company)
Aiming to create the fastest operating train in the world by 2011, Japan is testing the first prototype of FASTECH 360, the latest model from the renowned Shinkansen “bullet train” team. This train aims to achieve speeds of 360 km/h, making it the fastest train in the world.
Dualmode Transportation System (Silvertip Design Company – UK)
Carl Henderson, a consulting engineer at the Silvertip Design Company in the UK, once envisioned a vehicle that combined the weight of a truck, the agility of a bus, and the speed of a train. The concept vehicle, Bladerunner, was created to realize that dream. It can carry 105 passengers on both highways and dedicated rail tracks. However, bringing this concept to reality would require more than $3 billion and 10 years to complete both the vehicle and the infrastructure.
Automated Toll Collection Stations (Illinois, USA)
In 2005, Illinois launched a $5.3 billion congestion reduction program aimed at reducing public transportation travel time by 20 minutes by 2010 through the establishment of automated toll collection stations. Two years ago, the Kansas City transportation commission and architecture firm HNTB constructed 20 automated toll stations worth $400 million.
Automated Buses (Fraunhofer Society – Germany)
Germany’s largest applied research organization, the Fraunhofer Society, introduced the first prototype of the AutoTram in 2005. This vehicle, measuring 36 meters in length, uses only 25% of the fuel compared to conventional buses, with most of its emissions being clean water vapor.
Bullet Trains (China Railway Corporation)
In April 2007, with the launch of the sleek D460, China demonstrated its competitiveness with Japan in high-speed train technology. This train can reach speeds of 250 km/h, cutting conventional train travel time in half and carrying 340,000 passengers daily. It is manufactured in China, utilizing technology in collaboration with Japanese, German, French, and Canadian manufacturers.
Fuel-efficient Taxis (Standard Taxi Company)
At the New York International Auto Show this year (April 2007), a new model emerged that could replace traditional taxis. A design by Standard Taxi promises to make a significant impact on American roads in 2008. This vehicle features an internal combustion engine that can switch to natural gas, maximizing fuel efficiency. The taxi model is priced at $25,000.
Tran Linh
