The engineering that allows articulated buses to bend (theautopian.com)
46 points by CharlesW 21 hours ago
netsharc 5 minutes ago
Just 2 days ago: one of these buses had an accident that left the front part twisted 180 degrees in relation to the rear: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flbaRmGKzPY
Meanwhile in Munich: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IUE-yA8R1A
adrianmonk an hour ago
When I got to where they explained the benefits of having the engine at the very back and the instability of having the back part push the front, I tried to guess how they solved it. I guessed a fancy drive shaft with universal joints so the engine in the back half could drive wheels in the front half.
I guessed wrong. I still like my idea, but their solution is simpler and probably more efficient and more durable too.
simondotau an hour ago
A more modern solution would be to use electric motors on multiple axles, the power coming from a generator or battery.
ryukafalz an hour ago
The bus version of an EMU train
happytoexplain 3 hours ago
I like watching the other half of the bus while riding these. It's a cool effect, seeing the whole "room" oscillate through the "doorway", while I feel like I'm standing still.
Edit: The article has a video of this effect near the bottom.
havnagiggle 2 hours ago
The trains around Munich, Germany were fantastic for that effect. 15+ cars long with wide, open pivots.
Lio 2 hours ago
Yep I find the Elizabeth Line in London has this effect too.
I find it a bit freaky to be honest but you do get used to it.
Aachen 2 hours ago
Most metros are like this no? Not much seating, just articulated open tubes(-in-tubes)
Symbiote 10 minutes ago
doginasuit 34 minutes ago
The best part is sitting in the swivel part and having the whole bus bend around you.
ortusdux 2 hours ago
My college years did not include all that many hangovers, but I distinctly remember not enjoying this effect one morning.
delecti 2 hours ago
One silver lining to the bus being packed is standing with one foot on either side of the articulation pivot. Feeling your stance change under you while you're standing still is neat.
Reason077 2 hours ago
> “The articulated bus is a common sight everywhere”
Certainly not in London where they were famously banned in 2009.
Now days they’re uncommon throughout the UK, with UK cities having a preference for double-deckers. You do see them in use as shuttles at some UK airports, though.
undefined 2 hours ago
goosejuice an hour ago
In Chicago the drivers and passengers just yell at you to move to the back. I've never seen a bus not get to capacity due to poor utilization. Trains, it does happen and those you can enter anywhere. There's no staff there to call out the inconsiderate.
hagbard_c 2 hours ago
Why were they banned? They're used in the Netherlands which is rife with small bendy streets so if that was the argument it seems to be somewhat spurious.
tonyedgecombe an hour ago
There were some fatalities that got a lot of attention in the media. There was also a problem with fare evasion. Some were catching fire as well. A perfect storm of issues.
bell-cot 2 hours ago
Call me a fossil, but double-decker busses just seem so much cooler. Without all the added engineering complexity, costs, and footprint.
Aachen 2 hours ago
Boarding times though? I agree of course about the cool factor and I was sure to ride one when visiting London, but afaik the slower (dis)embarking times are why double-decked trains are primarily used on intercity trains and not on commuter/local trains or light rail (metro etc.). Typical busses stopping every two minutes are probably similar
Edit: wait, I know one in Germany as well. It's expensive but between Frankfurt airport and another major city, there is a rail line but somehow the bus is significantly faster and they're using double deckers. The front row at the top was, n=3, always free for me (all four seats) so you get a quite unique experience, at least so far as my bus experiences in mainland western Europe go :)
bell-cot 2 hours ago
> Boarding times though?
Often true. OTOH, the reduced footprint (vs. either 1 articulated or 2 normal busses) can speeds things up, especially on cramped and congested city streets. And if you're getting near gridlock-level congestion, the length of the articulated busses can be like dumping gravel into your system's gearbox.
TeMPOraL an hour ago
dominotw 2 hours ago
> Boarding times though?
cant they just put another entry door?
adrianmonk 2 hours ago
anewhnaccount2 2 hours ago
hagbard_c 2 hours ago
How about articulated double-decker buses? The one does not need to exclude the other after all. It'd need a large harmonica to deal with hills and bumps or it could have separated top floors with sloping roofs.
andrewshadura 26 minutes ago
How about double-articulated double-deckers?
bell-cot 44 minutes ago
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoplan_Jumbocruiser
> need a large harmonica to deal
I'd guess you mean "large accordion". Either way, the size & complexity of that joint section may be why the idea never went anywhere.