Rio – A technology being tested in Europe will allow two standard size buses circulate virtually connected through wi-fi network, operating as if they were a single articulated vehicle
The novelty. developed by Volvo Buses and appointed by the company as a solution to increase the operational capacity of BRT at peak times, should arrive in Brazil after approval for sales in Sweden, scheduled for 2018. First, however, need to go through all the safety assessments in the host country of the automaker.
Connected to a distance of up to 2 meters, two buses of 12 meters in length will trace the same route, stopping at points together and walking at the same speed, with only a driver driving the vehicle in front.
The new technology for articulated bus is being tested and may reduce the overcrowding of the BRT
Photo: Disclosure
“It will be a great solution for high demand corridors at peak times, when it needs more vehicles particular route at the same time. Act as a reinforcement to the existing articulated bus fleet in the corridor, carrying more passengers per hour, “says the president of Volvo Bus Latin America, Luis Carlos Pimenta.
He announced the news to the ‘Centre for Mobility’ for stopping the Volvo Ocean Race in Itajaí (SC) last week.
Pepper said, however, that the risk of accidents is one of the factors that still delay the approval of the technology.
“We are ending all testing and development that will eliminate any risk,” he said.
Nevertheless, the mirrored direction is also seen as an advantage for road safety, since, according to the National Traffic Department (Denatran), about 80% of road accidents are caused by human error.
According to the executive, the concept has already been partially tested in trucks and brand cars in Sweden. With the autopilot, a truck follows the other and back drivers only command the direction.
Volvo also experimented with a row of cars being driven by a truck. The difference to the model developed for buses is that the Platoon technology will waive the presence of the driver in the second vehicle.
The bus cooling system bi-articulated equal to that run on BRT Transoeste is also being improved. The company, which tests two vehicles in the hallway, restudied the system in the manufacturing of new cars. “Within three months, the vehicles will be approved and Rio can decide how to do,” said Pepper.
Hybrid vehicles to the city
While the tests already performed with 100% electric bus in Rio confirmed that clean technology is still uneconomic for commercial operation, Volvo shall demonstrate the performance of its hybrid model in the city this year in line not set.
Hybrids generate the energy they use through the brake system and save up to 35% fuel. Walk 20km in electric mode, the uprooted, and then started to consume diesel.
In Bogota, Colombia, the Consortium Express del Futuro put 177 hybrid operating in Transmilenio corridor last year, reducing 84% of emissions of particulate matter in the atmosphere. According to Marcela Betancourt, director of the company, although these buses costing 50% more expensive than conventional, subsidies offered by Colombia leave the price only 30% higher.
The Colombian capital gives 5% discount on the import tax and exclude sales tax. In Brazil, the only incentive offered is two-year grace for funding.
The reporter traveled to Itajaí the invitation of Volvo
No comments:
Post a Comment