Gadgetbahn

Gadgetbahn is a neologism that refers to a public transport concept or implementation that is touted by its developers and supporters as futuristic or innovative, but in practice is less feasible, reliable, and more expensive than traditional modes such as buses, trams and trains. It is a portmanteau of the English word "gadget" and the German word Bahn, meaning "railway".^[2]^[3]

History

The term originated in the 21st century,^[4]^[5] mainly used within the online public transport sphere on Twitter and YouTube.^[6]^{[better source needed]} However, such systems existed even before the term was coined. See individual articles for systems for details.

Examples

Modes of transport that have been cited as gadgetbahns include:

Aérotrain
Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit
Gondola lift^[7]
Ground effect train
Guided buses
Hovertrain
Hyperloop^[8]
Maglev
Monorail^[9]
Personal rapid transit^[9]^[10]
Rubber-tyred metro systems such as those used in the Paris Métro and Montreal Metro
Rubber-tyred tram
Shweeb
Suspension railway
Transit Elevated Bus, aka straddling bus
Transit Expressway Revenue Line

References

^ Weekes, Tim (February 16, 2023). "Does Bristol need a gadgetbahn?". Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways.
^ "Catbus» Blog Archive » What's a Gadgetbahn?". Retrieved 2023-02-06.
^ "Gadgetbahn: seductive charms vs. the reality". Leonard, foresight and Innovation by VINCI. 2018-04-03. Retrieved 2023-02-06.
^ "Personal Rapid Transit – Cyberspace Dream Keeps Colliding With Reality". Light Rail Now. March 2004. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
^ "Heading into 2006...It's a Rail Transit World!". Light Rail Now. December 2005. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
^ Martin, Reece, Trackless Trams: Yet Another Gadgetbahn, retrieved 2023-10-21
^ Zumbrun, Josh. "Uphill Climb: Cities Push Gondolas on Skeptical Commuters". WSJ. Retrieved 2023-02-06.
^ Kovacs, Adam; Westbrook, Adam (2022-10-13). "Opinion | Elon Musk Has Some Bad Ideas for Mass Transit. We Have Solutions". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-02-06.
^ ^a ^b Setty, Michael; Demery, Leroy (2002). "Conventional Rail vs. 'Gadgetbahnen'". Planetizen. Retrieved 2023-10-16.
^ Avidor, Ken (2014). "Minnesota Gadgetbahn – When the Future of Twin Cities Transit Was Up in the Air". Streets mn. Retrieved 2023-10-16.

[fobsr-1] Weekes, Tim (February 16, 2023). "Does Bristol need a gadgetbahn?". Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways.

[2] "Catbus» Blog Archive » What's a Gadgetbahn?". Retrieved 2023-02-06.

[3] "Gadgetbahn: seductive charms vs. the reality". Leonard, foresight and Innovation by VINCI. 2018-04-03. Retrieved 2023-02-06.

[4] "Personal Rapid Transit – Cyberspace Dream Keeps Colliding With Reality". Light Rail Now. March 2004. Retrieved 2023-04-01.

[5] "Heading into 2006...It's a Rail Transit World!". Light Rail Now. December 2005. Retrieved 2023-04-01.

[6] Martin, Reece, Trackless Trams: Yet Another Gadgetbahn, retrieved 2023-10-21

[7] Zumbrun, Josh. "Uphill Climb: Cities Push Gondolas on Skeptical Commuters". WSJ. Retrieved 2023-02-06.

[8] Kovacs, Adam; Westbrook, Adam (2022-10-13). "Opinion | Elon Musk Has Some Bad Ideas for Mass Transit. We Have Solutions". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-02-06.

[planetizen-9] Setty, Michael; Demery, Leroy (2002). "Conventional Rail vs. 'Gadgetbahnen'". Planetizen. Retrieved 2023-10-16.

[10] Avidor, Ken (2014). "Minnesota Gadgetbahn – When the Future of Twin Cities Transit Was Up in the Air". Streets mn. Retrieved 2023-10-16.

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