Train-Plane the Future of Air Travel?

When you think of future air travel, does it involve a train that can fly? And if this dream could be made a reality, would it even be a feasible option?

Apparently so.



EPFL Techincal University in Lausanne has created a model for a new type of flying device called 'Clip-Air.' The model produced shows a single flying wing that can be clipped onto interchangeable 'capsules' such as train compartments.

The model, which has capacity to hold 3 capsules each carrying 150 passengers was recently shown off at the Paris Air Show by its Swiss inventors. This is the equivalent of three A320 planes but with half the engines.

As well as economical savings, the capsules could fit into airports of today and can be compatible with rail tracks, allowing planes to leave out of a city centre and integrate with industry.

The EPFL has stated that 'it is more than a new type of flying device, its innovative concept could revolutionise the airports of the future.'

Scientists are also looking for alternative sources of fuel to make it more efficient.

What are your thoughts? Do you think that Clip-Air would appeal to you?

To see footage of the design concept click here.

This article by Kathryn Cuddihy (David Lock Associates)

MicroMAX: A Compromise Between Private and Public Transport?

Rinspeed has devised this funky car design that is kind of a micro-mini bus, that according to one article  is "intended to merge personal and public transportation on a shared basis, like a cross between Smart's car2go and a minibus taxi".  This is specifically targeted to encourage ride sharing - which is where you hitch a ride with others as opposed to taking your own - a kind of private public transport.

The system is app-based.  Smart phones alert the car of others who want to go the same way; "think taxi, but personally owned and operated".

Ride sharing is pretty rare in Melbourne (or at least it seems that way to me), though crowd sourced ride sharing schemes are becoming more common, particularly in Europe (such as this one, but you'll need to translate it from German).  Ride-sharing seems like a good opportunity to get more cars off the road, and in places like Melbourne, it could work well - especially given that so many people go to similar places (centres such as the CBD).

As for the design, it looks pretty swish - sure, you kind of lean rather than sit, but these babies are equipped with a fridge and a coffee machine.  

However, the site cautions that this is more a conceptual design to inspire other solutions, rather than itself providing the answer to congestion in cities.

Read more at translogic, and at IOL.

Is This the Building of the Future?

So this one seems a little 'Jetsons' like if you know what I mean, but wow, talk about an action packed building!

This document from Arup's UK branch imagines the 'urban building of the future'.

In 2050, the urban dweller and the city are in a state of constant flux - changing and evolving in reaction to emerging context and conditions.  The urban building of the future fosters this innate quality, essentially functioning as a living organism in its own right

This imagined building's structure will be flexible and adabtable both in terms of structure and materials, and also in terms of use and function. It will incorporate renewable and recyclable material, produce more resources that it consumes and contain urban food production.  According to the document, the building will integrate with the community through public facilities, integrated transport links and integrating with the public realm.  Lastly, it will be a 'smart system' collecting and utilising data on energy use and production, transport, weather and occupancy requirements to "execute informed and calculated decisions about the optimal use of resources".

Wow - yep this super building makes a heap of promises. I'm interested in seeing how even one aspect (transport integration, sustainability, flexibility) could start to become more common in buildings - but will a building like this exist by 2050?  Who knows?


Read more here.