O-Bahn busway in Adelaide, Australia

It was 20090203.



檢視較大的地圖
O-Bahn busway, Adelaide


I've never seen this kind of track before. It's very strange to me. The bus is a usual one you can see on the road, once it's on the track, it works as if it was a train. The bus can move automatically on the guided way without the control of the driver through the wheel.

From 20090203_TeaTreePlaza_MarionShoppingCenter

From 20090203_TeaTreePlaza_MarionShoppingCenter

From 20090203_TeaTreePlaza_MarionShoppingCenter

I also find the introduction to the O-Bahn Busway in WikiPedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bus_track.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Obahn_test_track1.JPG
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Obahn_guide_wheel.jpg


The O-Bahn Busway (also known as the Northeast Busway) in the South Australian capital city of Adelaide is the world's longest (until the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway opens) and fastest guided busway.

It is possible for cars to enter the O-Bahn from Hackney Road or at any of the interchanges. This is deterred by a large number of signs at entrance points and a "sump buster" device that rips out a car's sump (oil pan) if it gets onto the track. An average of four cars per year enter the O-Bahn and must be removed by crane.

The guide-wheel, which protrudes from the front sides and aligns with the track, is the most important part of the bus when travelling on the O-Bahn. Connected directly to the steering mechanism, it 'steers' the bus while on the track and prevents the main tyres from rubbing against the sides of the track. While it is not strictly necessary for drivers to hold the steering wheel when travelling on the O-Bahn because of the guide-wheel, safety procedures require the driver to be alert to their circumstances at all times. A rumble strip before stations is a reminder that they need to resume control.