Hybrid electric train coming soon to Cebu City #BRT

The Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Hybrid Electric Road Train will hit the road at the Clark Airbase in Angeles City, Pampanga this September for road worthiness tests before rolling out in Metro Manila’s major highways.

Designed by Filipino engineers and made with locally available parts, the 40-meter long train-like bus is an alternative means of transportation and one of DOST’s answer to the mass transportation dilemma in metro roads.

The road train is composed of five interconnected fully air-conditioned coaches, four of which can accommodate 60 passengers each for a total of 240 commuters per ride.  The last one is the power coach.

DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo estimates that the road train can serve 650,000 commuters when fully implemented. “This will happen after its testing phase which will take two to three years,” he said.

DOST's Electric Road Train

Launched last August 22, 2014 the road train can run with a maximum speed of 50kph. It is mainly powered by hybrid diesel fuel and electric-powered battery. Moreover, the train is designed to be energy-efficient, which means it does not need electricity and suspended cables to operate. This newest Filipino innovation also produces less smoke emission compared with existing mass transport vehicles, making it an eco-friendly mode of transport. (S&T Media Service, DOST-STII)

Cebu City may soon have its own environment-friendly mass transport system: a hybrid electric road train that can accommodate at least 200 passengers at a time.

This was after the city government signed a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Science and Technology on the proposed system, GMA Cebu's Vic Serna reported Thursday.

DOST's Electric Road Train

Breaking News:Typhoon Glenda (Rammasun-international code name) - The Philippines now on RED alert!

Typhoon Glenda (Rammasun-international code name) Forecast

Heavy rain will total 100-200 mm (4-8 inches) along and near the track of the storm, including

Image by: AccuWeather

the cities of Naga and Manila where flooding will be a serious concern. Floods are one of the most common hazards in the Philippines, however not all floods are alike. 
  Some floods develop slowly, while others such as flash floods, can develop in just a few minutes and without visible signs of rain. Additionally, floods can be local, impacting a neighborhood or community, or very large, affecting entire river basins and many provinces.

Flash floods can occur within a few minutes or hours of excessive rainfall, or a dam or levee failure. Flash floods often have a dangerous wall of roaring water carrying rocks, mud and other debris. Overland flooding, the most common type of flooding event typically occurs when waterways such as rivers or streams overflow their banks as a result of rainwater or a possible levee breach and cause flooding in surrounding areas. It can also occur when rainfall  exceeds the capacity of underground pipes, or the capacity of streets and drains designed to carry flood water away from urban areas.

Satellite image of Rammasun on Monday, courtesy of NOAA.

 The greatest impacts are expected across northern Visayas and southern Luzon, close to the storm track. Heavy rain will total 100-200 mm (4-8 inches) along and near the track of the storm, including the cities of Naga and Manila where flooding will be a serious concern.

Image by: PAGASA - DOST

 When crossing the Philippines, Rammasun is expected to weaken due to the interaction with land and will likely be a tropical storm as it emerges into the South China Sea. It will then move across the South China Sea and will begin to make a gradual turn to the northwest, towards the southern coast of China late in the week. Moving over another area of very warm waters and low to moderate shear will give Rammasun the opportunity to regain typhoon strength before reaching China. Late in the week, Rammasun will then bring the threat for flooding rains and damaging winds to southern China with the greatest impacts likely in Hainan and western Guangdong provinces. Continue to check back with the AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center for the latest on Rammasun and its effects in the Philippines and, eventually, into China.

FLOOD ALERT:

 

Manila suffers severe flooding following torrential rainfall! Even if you feel you live in a community with a low risk of flooding, remember that anywhere it rains, it can flood. 

What emergency supplies do I need?

 

Water—at least a 3-day supply; one gallon per person per day

Food—at least a 3-day supply of nonperishable, easy-to-prepare food

Flashlight

Battery-powered radio

Extra batteries

First aid kit

Medications (7-day supply)

Multi-purpose tool

Sanitation and personal hygiene items

Copies of personal documents(medication list and pertinent medical information, deed/lease to home, birth certificates, insurance policies)

Cell phone with chargers

Family and emergency contact information

Extra cash

Emergency blanket