China to trial futuristic bus that 'floats' above traffic jams

Similar to trams, these buses would run on a set of fixed rails fixed into the road

Chinese engineers have unveiled a prototype elevated bus designed to rise above the traffic jams below it by straddling road lanes.

Each of the gargantuan buses is projected to be able to carry approximately 1,200 passengers.

Similar to trams, the buses would run on a set of fixed rails on the road.

Travelling at speeds of up to 60mph, vehicles up to a height of two metres will be able to drive underneath the bus even when it is stationary.

Called the Transit Explore Bus (TEB), the prototype is designed to take on many of the same functions as a subway train but with a fifth of the cost.

A model of the system was unveiled at a technology expo in Beijing.

The construction of the network would only last a year, the project's lead engineer claimed.

Song Youzhou, the lead engineer in charge of the TEB project said: "The biggest advantage is that the bus will save lots of road space."

The TEB team are planning for a prototype to be trialed in the coastal city of Qinhuangdao, 300km east of Beijing, this summer.