KC3 Final

The traffic congestion in Hawaii is getting worse each year. With an average commute time of 26.1 minutes per day (“Average Commute Time Hawaii” wolframalpha.com, WolframAlpha, n.d. web.), we are ranked 11^th in the nation on longest commute time list. These problems are only going to get worse if we don’t act now. That’s why we need a solution such as the Straddling Bus.

The Straddling Bus is a cross between a train and a bus. It rides along tracks on the sides of the road, while being suspended over traffic. Due to its ability to arch over traffic, it is not affected by it.  One problem that this creates though, is that it requires vehicles over 13 feet high to merge into the lanes that the Bus is not above. The Straddling Bus is able to hold a maximum of 1,200 passengers at once, taking a lot of drivers off of the roads. This gigantic bus might be good road wise, but scenery wise, it will take away from the natural beauty of this paradise. Causing Hawaii to seem more “city like.”

Many other traffic solutions have been proposed, one of the main ones being the rail transit system. Unlike the 4.34 billion dollar cost of the transit system, the Straddling Bus only costs a mere 74.5 million for one unit and 25 miles of track. Beside the major cost difference, the Straddling Bus is able to travel on smaller roads unlike the transit that has to stay near main highway areas. Last, the transit can only drop off passengers at a limited amount of stations due to the high station costs. Whereas the Straddling Bus can to stop at its many stops, as a result of low bus stop costs.

            With todays shift to clean energy, the Straddling Bus is completely electric. Getting power either from solar panels, or overhead charging lines at bus stops. This “zero emission” alternative to gas guzzling vehicles will save approximately 860 tons of gas each year. With this gas, 2,620 less tons of carbon emissions are ending up in our atmosphere. Hopefully slowing global warming drastically.

            With 30% traffic reduction, taking 1,200 drivers off of the roads in one bus. Relatively cheap building prices, as compared to the 4 billion of the rail transit system. Last is its clean electric energy use that doesn’t produce any toxic emissions. The Straddling Bus is the right choice to relieve traffic problems.

KC3 Essay Draft

The traffic congestion in Hawaii is getting worse each year. With an average commute time of 26 minutes per day, we are ranked 11^th in the nation on longest commute time list. These problems are only going to get worse if we don’t act now. That’s why we need a solution such as the Straddling Bus.

The Straddling Bus is a cross between a train and a bus. It rides along tracks on the sides of the road, while being suspended over traffic. Due to its ability to arch over traffic, it is not affected by it.  One problem that this creates though, is that it requires vehicles over 13 feet high to merge into the lanes that the Bus is not above. The Straddling Bus is able to hold a maximum of 1,200 passengers at once, taking a lot of drivers off of the roads. This gigantic bus might be good road wise, but scenery wise, it will take away from the natural beauty of this paradise. Causing Hawaii to seem more “city like.”

Many other traffic solutions have been proposed, one of the main ones being the rail transit system. Unlike the 4.34 billion dollar cost of the transit system, the Straddling Bus only costs a mere 74.5 million for one unit and 25 miles of track. Beside the major cost difference, the Straddling Bus is able to travel on smaller roads unlike the transit that has to stay near main highway areas. Last, the transit can only drop off passengers at a limited amount of stations due to the high station costs. Whereas the Straddling Bus is able to stop at its many stops, as a result of  low bus stop costs.

            With todays shift to clean energy, the Straddling Bus is completely electric. Getting power either from solar panels, or overhead charging lines at bus stops. This “zero emission” alternative to gas guzzling vehicles will save approximately 860 tons of gas each year. With this gas, 2,620 less tons of carbon emissions are ending up in our atmosphere. Hopefully slowing global warming drastically.

            With 30% traffic reduction, taking 1,200 drivers off of the roads in one bus. Relatively cheap building prices, as compared to the 4 billion of the rail transit system. Last is its clean electric energy use that doesn’t produce any toxic emissions. The Straddling Bus is the right choice, to relieve traffic problems.