Page 120 - How It Works - Book Of Amazing Answers To Curious Questions, Volume 05-15

What is the future Building better

of commuting? buses
Bus rapid transit, or BRT, is billed as the future of
urban transport. The system aims to efficiently
ferry passengers around busy urban
environments in a cost-effective way, and BRT
Explore the cutting-edge technology set vehicles travel on dedicated bus-only lanes that
are segregated from regular vehicle carriageways,
reducing delays due to traffic. All bus stop
to change the way we travel platforms are at the same height as the floor of the
bus for easy access for wheelchair and pram users,
and passengers pre-pay for the bus electronically;
ow long do you spend commuting every including motorbikes, buses and even helicopters. significantly reducing the amount of time a bus
day? The average journey time is a This means we’ll be producing fewer emissions remains stationary at stops. This means BRT can
Hsoul-sucking 60 minutes, which amounts on our journey to work and we won’t be relying on provide a speedier service, ensuring commuters
spend less time in the place they don’t want to be
to over a year of our lives travelling to and from the Earth’s diminishing supply of oil to power our – the bus.
work. Whether it’s via road, train or even sky, the various forms of transport. In fact, some forms of
commuter experience is blighted by traffi c and transport are likely to produce more energy than Signal priority
human or technological errors, leading to delays they actually use! Some rapid bus systems use
and expensive fares to supplement archaic modes Of course, electricity isn’t the only source signal priority transmitters
to hold a green light long
of transport. powering commuter vehicles both now and in the enough for the bus to get
However, the daily slog could be about to future. Innovative forms of travel include linear through an intersection.
change for the better. Thanks to a raft of new electric motors for Elon Musk’s Hyperloop and
technology, we’ll see vast improvements to the maglev technology for Israel’s skyTran. We also
speed and safety of a commute over the next 50 to can’t forget the ‘number two’ Bio-Bus in the UK
100 years, through improving current transit that’s currently transporting passengers between
systems and implementing entirely new modes of the cities of Bath and Bristol, thanks to the
transport in the future. These range from faster, biomethane gas produced from human waste!
more efficient bus services, to sophisticated No matter what way you look at it, the

capsule-based transport that will turn a three- international workforce of the future has little to
hour journey into a thirty-minute intercity blast. fear. They’ll be able to relax, sipping coffee as
The future of commuting will also benefi t the their autonomous car does all the steering, or
environment thanks to the development of reclining in a levitating pod that soars above the
cleaner, greener vehicles. Electric and hybrid city. Over the next few pages, take a glimpse into
engines are an increasingly popular choice in the exciting future of travel but in the meantime,
passenger cars, and the technology is always remember to mind the gap between the
transcending into other forms of transport train and platform edge!

New and

improved Bus stop platform
These are the same level as the
bus floor, making it easier for

Underground passengers to get on and off.
systems

The London Underground is a vital Driverless Driverless pods are
transport network for Britain’s currently spearheading
the automotive industry’s
capital city, and Transport for pods autonomous vehicle push
London has plans in place to
improve the services for its
customers. All-new trains are being These small electric
rolled out on the Piccadilly Line, vehicles call on the same
with the Bakerloo, Central, and cool technology piloted by
Waterloo and City lines following other driverless car
shortly after. The new trains will be projects, using sensors,
air conditioned to make journeys lidar and navigation
more comfortable, with walk- equipment to transport one
through carriages to allow for extra or two passengers
room during peak periods of travel. autonomously to their
The lines’ signalling systems will destination via road or
also be upgraded, helping to pavement. Think this is a
eliminate delays. The introduction technological advancement
of a 24-hour service for central The new train design for of the future? Think again.
London is the first step to improved London promises to deliver Driverless pods are already

commutes for Londoners. faster, more frequent journeys being trialled in several UK
towns and cities including
Oxford and Milton Keynes.
120 How It Works