[vvivek85]

Metro transport corporation in Chennai has decided to install auto-retractable rails to prevent accident victims from coming under the bus. These rails are said to automatically levitate and lower when the bus passes over a speed breaker or road bumps.

https://mycitychennai.com/mtcs-thoug...iaeTofRDy0_y30

The intentions are really good and I hope the execution works. Some of the questions I have :

- Considering there are different sized speed bumps and potholes, interesting to understand how automatic levitate works.

- If the doors in these buses are closed properly, there is no need for this setup in the first place.

On a funnier note, one more mode of footboard options given to our youths

[railfanwithk750]

Originally Posted by vvivek85

.

- If the doors in these buses are closed properly, there is no need for this setup in the first place.

I am sure the actual purpose is to save motorcyclists and cyclists from being run over. Have seen dozens of such mishaps on the accidents thread and this move could be highly beneficial.

O.t., would be a great initiative to mandate only low-floor platform buses within city fleet.

[TrackDay]

Originally Posted by vvivek85

On a funnier note, one more mode of footboard options given to our youths

True ! When we already have scenarios like these, the last thing we need to see is more folks risking their lives due to an additional fitting. Hope this new installation is tested out scientifically.

[DWind]

I have seen similar implementation in Sri lanka. Hope this is implemented across all HF buses in India

[sameerpatel90]

A good initiative by MTC as this new railing system will reduce such accidents for those who try to hop on/off a running bus. Many of us agree that foot boarding is one of the main concerns putting hundreds of lives at risks every day. What if the transport corporations add more articulated buses to their fleet for longer routes and during peak hours these buses can carry twice the number of people.

[gkveda]

It should be designed without horizontal bar at the bottom. That way, passengers wouldn't be able to stand and travel on that bar.

Secondly, the strength of the bar should be strong enough to act as barricade for 2 wheelers to get inside too.

With these in place, during accidents, although 2 wheelers do not slide below bus, there is a chance that it gets dragged by hanging to these bars. While designing, this should also be kept in consideration.

If it's designed with all these precautions, our people will find some innovative ways to misuse them within a week of instalation and make the initiative useless, or to be more precise, harmful.

[vvivek85]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8c79cPGwVU

Video clipping of the same in action.

[railfanwithk750]

Originally Posted by vvivek85

https://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=u8c79cPGwVU

Video clipping of the same in action.

That contraption doesn't have ANY structural rigidity!

[vvivek85]

Originally Posted by railfanwithk750

That contraption doesn't have ANY structural rigidity!

At the start of the video, we can hear a person saying in tamil "Adhu odangidum" which roughly translates to "It will break" .

I am controlling myself not to sound too pessimistic here, but the way buses are maintained here in Chennai, will surprise me if this works after a month or two. One positive out of this, drivers will be forced to slow down in case of potholes/speed bumps, if not he will fly out of the windshield.