[plain talk]

50 lane traffic jam in Beijing.

[IronJack]

I think it’s a brilliant concept. But there’s theory and then there’s reality ...

[IronJack]

Can’t read the article without subscribing.

[onedoug]

Some claustrophobic driver will swerve, and bam!!!

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Cool idea, if they can make it work. One of the biggest thing mentioned in the article is the need to take your exit and that thing is up over the top of you. THAT is a problem.

[rockrr]

With any luck they’ll publish the resulting carnage on u-toob...

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

It’s actually a type of surface-rail, not a bus (travels on rails).

It’s, at the very least, an innovative concept. Consider the alternatives, for public transit on congested routes:
* regular buses: get stuck in traffic like everyone else
* dedicated bus lanes: removes lanes for use by other vehicles — may make things worse.
* light rail on surface: also removes lanes for other vehicles.
* Subway: cost — especially up-front capital cost.
* Monorail: minimal road space required, compared to surface rail. See the monorail episode of The Simpsons for more.
* Elevated roadway: Cost. Unsightly.

It can’t compete with ordinary buses for route flexibility. However, the routes could be at least as flexible as subway, surface rail, or monorail allows. If it went on a continuous loop, with curves rather than turns, it could work.

[Western Phil]

Looks like a knockoff of some of these things:
https://www.google.com/search?q=self+propelled+sprayers&client=opera&hs=Emt&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiAxJ6YsLDOAhXp54MKHQU1CCAQ7AkITQ&biw=1370&bih=766