China introduces trains without rails (Atlanta, Roswell: maintenance, live, cost)

[Carolina Knight]

The concept is still bus rapid transit. The problem is bus rapid transit traveling on the same road network as vehicles. Bus rapid transit would be effective if it traveled in its own dedicated lanes.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by arjay57

This would be perfect for the Beltline and it could be up and running in a couple years rather than decades. And for a fraction of the cost.

It would be, particularly due to the fact that it wouldn't be competing with cars.

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by primaltech

I'm going to have to disagree with you on that. I think with this reaction you're being a bit closed-minded/traditionalist/set in your ways and thought patterns. Also your anti-AV-tech bias is showing.

I'm not against AVs, I just don't accept them as my transportation lord and savior.

I don't see why a fixed guideway (which defines something being a train) has to necessarily be simple-physical/mechanical and can't be computerized fixed guideway, based on sensory input and processing.

Because permanence provides stability and signals that this is a long term commitment upon which developers can bank their investments.

A fixed guideway, is needed. BRT can certainly be that, but simply painting lines won't do it.

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by arjay57

This would be perfect for the Beltline and it could be up and running in a couple years rather than decades. And for a fraction of the cost.

Except that it not only requires wider right of way than rail, but also requires that whole right of way to be paved instead of letting grass grow between rails.

[MattCW]

It's far less efficient, and can't use a continuous electric supply like LRT can, unless you add in the expense and complication of a two-conductor trolley bus system.

[Atlanta Scientist]

No single mode of transit/transportation will solve Atlanta's problems. BRT is good. Rail is good. Streetcars are good. AV's are good. A multi-nodal approach is needed. This new technology would bring the vision of what the Beltline is going to be quicker to reality. This would be great from Buford Highway as well. Could these run on CNG?

[arjay57]

"Must. Not. Think. Outside. Box."

[MattCW]

Originally Posted by arjay57

"Must. Not. Think. Outside. Box."

Did you ever stop to think that maybe the box exists for a reason?

[primaltech]

I say put these guys in the HOV lane on I-75:
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.8609...7i13312!8i6656

Where it would use the double solid white stripes to its right, and the yellow line to its left, as its autonomous guides to smoothly lock it into the lane, but with manual driver override in case of emergencies.

Then we could just build the 15th St bridge in Midtown, with an HOV exit, and this AV train could connect MARTA Arts Center Station with a new station for it at the Cobb Galleria. Then it would run in its own lane on Cobb Pkwy out to Kennesaw. All for a tiny fraction of the cost of an HRT system.

[magnetar]

Originally Posted by arjay57

This would be perfect for the Beltline and it could be up and running in a couple years rather than decades. And for a fraction of the cost.

The technology is copyrighted by China Railway, began development in 2013, won't be operational until next year, and isn't available from any US manufacturers, so to say that it's faster and cheaper to implement in Atlanta is assuming a lot based on no evidence.