A road trackless train consists of a driving vehicle pulling one or more articulated carriages connected

A road trackless train consists of a driving vehicle pulling one or more articulated carriages connected by drawbar couplings in the manner of a locomotive-hauled railway train. They can run on asphalt, paved surfaces, or even on grass. Depending on the design, these vehicles can carry between 1 and 500 passengers.

They are typically operated by private companies and provide passenger transport services. As such, they are regulated by public transport authorities. They must follow strict safety and performance standards. They must also adhere to the service conditions, timetables, and fares that they advertise. These conditions are normally printed on the vehicle’s service brochures, which can be obtained from the operator’s offices.

For example, a passenger may not stand on the vehicle or its platform at any point during the journey. This is because the driver cannot guarantee that there will be enough space in the vehicle to accommodate all of its passengers. However, the driver must allow passengers to alight at established standing points along each route. Passengers must also board and alight on the correct side of the vehicle to avoid collisions with other passengers, pedestrians, or vehicles.

The advantage of road trackless trains is that they can be deployed much faster than conventional rail systems. In addition, the capital cost is less than for a light rail system at around A$210 million per kilometer.

Another benefit of these vehicles is their relatively high capacity. While buses can only carry up to 300 people, a single train can easily transport 500 passengers. In addition, they have a smoother ride quality and are less prone to sway than buses. They are usually fitted with hydraulic suspension, which reduces jolts to make the ride more comfortable for passengers.

As traffic congestion and emissions grow in cities, the need for public transportation is increasing. The problem is that specialized transit requires extensive infrastructure spending, and buses have not traditionally been popular with the public because of their bumpy ride. But a new technology is allowing bus-like vehicles to run on roads for a ride that more closely resembles rail travel without the expense of tracks.