This Private Tranpsortation Concept is Public

Making mass transit more private, and giving freight a helping hand

Designer Dave Owen has an idea: why not divvy up that widely use mode of mass transit—elevated trains—into independent, discrete units?

Each pod travels along a two-way raised track, like a hyper-modern cable car, providing enough seating for two adults and two children face-to-face. But the "Community Transit" concept isn't just meant for passengers; a second pod configuration does away with the seats, and has internal space for one-fifth of a shipping container's load.

Controls for the passenger-type pod are via the touch-screen interface built into the stationary glass window opposite the sliding door entrance. Parts of the track dip at regular intervals to facilitate loading and unloading. The freight-friendly variant on the other hand is designed to travel directly to establishment loading bays, and encourage goods delivery between various businesses to promote commerce.

And of course, what futuristic system is complete without some sort of automated management system, and an alternative energy source? Once passengers or a business set a destination, the pod will automatically determine the most direct and fastest route. To better acquire energy, organic dye within the pod's windows concentrate sunlight onto solar cells embedded onto the pod's windows.

Sounds good so far. But it remains to be seen if Community Transit will ever make an official, real-life debut. And how can it help crowded cities where sidewalk space is a literal premium?

Community Transit offers private commuting in public transport