An eco-friendly Hybrid Electric Road Train developed by Filipino engineers from the Department of Science and Technology – Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC) was launched in early February to help ease traffic congestion in Philippine cities.
The hybrid road train is a 40-meter long system of five interlinked and air conditioned coaches.
The front coach contains the pilot chamber while the last coach holds the fuel and power generation system composed of 260 ordinary motor vehicle batteries. The three remaining coaches can accommodate as much as 60 passengers each for a total of 240 per trip or an estimate of 650,000 passengers in a day.
The train can run at a top speed of 50kph on a dedicated lane in the existing major thoroughfare in Metro Manila. To be fully utilized, existing road infrastructures need to be modified to provide designated stops or platforms that will complement the specifications for the train’s unique features.
The road train weighs about 10 metric tons in full capacity and uses ordinary rubber tires instead of steel rails, thus making it more economical. It is also equipped with dual braking system for efficient braking.
The alternative mass transport system is part of the advocacy of the multi-agency Bayanihan sa Daan (Road Sharing) Movement which encourages commuters to reduce their dependence on cars and opt for healthier alternatives like walking, biking and the use of an efficient, eco-friendly mass transportation system.
