China is thinking outside the box for a solution to its congested roadways.
The country plans to test the Transit Explore Bus, which uses two long legs to straddle the roadways and pass over traffic jams.
A single bus could carry 1,400 commuters and travel about 37 mph. As long as vehicles on the road are shorter than 6.5 feet, they can pass safely underneath.
"The biggest advantage is that the bus will save lots of road space," Song Youzhou, the project's chief engineer, told Xinhua, China's official news agency.
The TEB would also play a positive role in improving air quality. China has consistently been reported as having significantly high air pollution, and 20 million new motorists hit the Chinese road each year, The Atlantic reported.
One hesitation is that tractor-trailers would get stuck behind the bus until they can get around it or onto a different road, which could still slow down traffic.
However, the bus' creators say it could be produced for 16 percent of the cost of building a subway and in less time. That's because cities could install it on existing roadways instead of digging tunnels underground.
The concept has been floating around for years, but China may be looking to move forward with plans in the near future. Testing is expected to begin in late July or August.
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