The engineering that allows articulated buses to bend

48 points - today at 1:02 AM

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netsharc today at 9:52 PM
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

The Munich bus-trailer in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IUE-yA8R1A

adrianmonk today at 8:33 PM
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.

happytoexplain today at 7:24 PM
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.

Reason077 today at 7:45 PM
> “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.

bell-cot today at 7:46 PM
Call me a fossil, but double-decker busses just seem so much cooler. Without all the added engineering complexity, costs, and footprint.