Japan recently showed the world's first Dual-Mode Vehicle (DMV), a special machine that runs both on roads, like a bus and on rails, like a train. It was shown to people last month, in the town of Kaiyo in Japan. The mini- bus-like machine didn't win anyone over with its looks, but it surely made people remember how it worked.
It runs with usual wheels on the road. But when it needs to switch (改变) to train mode (模式) , the front wheels are moved, while the back wheels stay down to push the machine run. Switching between bus and train models takes only about 15 seconds. This DMV can reach any place in the town as a bus and move onto the railways as well. We expect it to be a very good transport for old people to travel in the city. The elders will find it easy to get on and get off.
The DMV has been in work for many years. Its workers hope that it will not only improve the lives of people but also make people in other places interested in Dual-Mode Vehicles. The makers believe that a number of people will try taking the DMV. The Dual-Mode Vehicles can carry up to 21 passengers and run at a speed of 60 km/h in the train mode, and up to 100 km/h as a bus. The machine will cover parts of the cities near the sea. The trips will offer passengers special experience of seeing beautiful sea and sky.
