ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Future

Can this futuristic, driverless tram revitalize abandoned railways?

Would you travel in one of these?

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
July 8, 2022
in Design, Future
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

Long before electric cars and buses were a thing, the humble tram was a way of using electricity to get around in the city. Taking the tram is still one of the most sustainable and efficient ways you can travel in urban areas, but, at least sometimes, the tram can feel a bit dated. Well, not anymore — these guys have an idea of reinvigorating the tram and bringing new life into it.

Credits: Mantz-Hansen.

The architecture magazine Dezeen published some of the finalists for their Future Mobility Competition, and one of the proposals came from Lea Haats, Erik Mantz-Hansen, and Konstantin Wolf, who envision a new type of electric tram that runs on repurposed railway routes.

Called Abacus, the tram is driverless and works on a hop-on hop-off system where you just wave your hand and the tram stops — the system is equipped with onboard cameras that recognize such movements. The low floor enables passengers to easily get on and off the train, while a retractable ramp can be used for wheelchair users. The tram is fully electric and would be powered via existing rail tracks, to eliminate the need for a large, heavy battery. There are also handrails to hold on to or lean on, and large windows.

Abacus is mostly aimed at commuting or traveling between urban and rural areas. It’s aimed especially at Germany, where there are a lot of abandoned railways that could be repurposed for the tram — but the same idea could be applied in other areas. As urban centers become more crowded, people are increasingly coming in from farther away, including from the rural areas around the city. This contributes significantly to traffic jams, and it’s exactly the type of problem you could address through public transit.

Credits: Mantz-Hansen.

“A large part of urban traffic is not caused by inner-city routes but is generated from further away. In rural areas, it seems to be very difficult to offer a mobility solution that is more attractive than the private car,” Abacus’ designers say. “But in the long term, the number of these inefficient vehicles must be reduced in order to decrease traffic, save space, and achieve the goals of climate protection.”

“The total length of Germany’s streets excessively outnumbers the usable infrastructure of railroads. In the last 100 years, more than half of all rail lines in northern Germany alone have disappeared or been discontinued. The revitalization of [these] tracks has a high potential, not only to reduce traffic and emissions but also to rebuild a bridge between the city and countryside.

For the developers, it’s important that Abacus be flexible and reliable enough to rival the comfort of a private car. The goal would be to start on small routes where any point on the route can be reached within minutes.

RelatedPosts

New Discovery Suggests the Arabs Met the Vikings in Ancient Times
Nutrients in chocolate improve memory in seniors
$50 solar-powered balloon records mysterious sounds in the stratosphere
NASA researchers find two black holes heading for a merger in our cosmic neighborhood

So, what do you think? Is this type of project a pipe dream or could it realistically make a difference?

ShareTweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

Future

China Resurrected an Abandoned Soviet ‘Sea Monster’ That’s Part Airplane, Part Hovercraft

byTibi Puiu
1 hour ago
great white shark
Animals

This Shark Expert Has Spent Decades Studying Attacks and Says We’ve Been Afraid for the Wrong Reasons

byJordan Strickler
4 hours ago
Agriculture

A Rocket Carried Cannabis Seeds and 166 Human Remains into Space But Their Capsule Never Made It Back

byTudor Tarita
4 hours ago
News

Ancient ‘Zombie’ Fungus Trapped in Amber Shows Mind Control Began in the Age of the Dinosaurs

byMihai Andrei
4 hours ago

Recent news

China Resurrected an Abandoned Soviet ‘Sea Monster’ That’s Part Airplane, Part Hovercraft

June 30, 2025
great white shark

This Shark Expert Has Spent Decades Studying Attacks and Says We’ve Been Afraid for the Wrong Reasons

June 30, 2025

A Rocket Carried Cannabis Seeds and 166 Human Remains into Space But Their Capsule Never Made It Back

June 30, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.