# Affordable Elevated Monorails BYD's 'SkyRail' is a Cost-Effective Alternative to Subway Systems By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2016-10-15 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skyrail References: [techinasia](https://www.techinasia.com/china-monorail-byd-skyrail) & [byd](http://www.byd.com/na/) China's largest electric car company, [BYD](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/affordable-electric-car), recently unveiled its SkyRail at its Shenzhen headquarters, which marks the culmination of a five-year transportation project. While the form of the monorail may not be earth-shattering in its design, it does offer top speeds of up to 80 kph and most of all, offers an affordable ways for cities to offer large-scale transportation, especially in the cases where it is too costly to construct a subway system. The SkyRail is also being touted as a support system for other public transportation systems, such as those that exist as underground, roadway or other elevated routes. As many cities are now pushing to adopt cutting-edge [autonomous and IoT vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tesla-cybercab), a new system like this provides a cost-effective and reliable alternative. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.8/10 - Popularity: 43% | Activity: 34% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Affordable Elevated Monorails:** BYD's SkyRail offers a cost-effective alternative to subway systems. - **Top Speeds of 80 Kph:** The SkyRail monorail offers high-speed transportation options. - **Support System for Public Transportation:** SkyRail can serve as a support system for existing underground or elevated public transportation routes. ### Where This Applies - **Transportation:** The SkyRail monorail disrupts traditional transportation systems by offering an affordable alternative. - **Urban Development:** SkyRail provides cities with a cost-effective solution for large-scale transportation, especially when constructing a subway system is not feasible. - **Autonomous Vehicles:** The rise of autonomous and IoT vehicles aligns well with the SkyRail monorail system, making it a reliable and convenient option. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Phosphate Battery-Powered EVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/affordable-electric-car.md) - [Ultra-Fast Charging Models](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/byd.md) - [Magnetic Wall-Scaling Electric Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/trois-mobility-concept.md) - [Innovative Electric Trams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-tram.md) - [Groundbreaking Public Transit Models](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vertically-integrated-smart-transit-system.md) - [Electric Public Transport Networks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-public-transport-network.md) - [Capaciously Compact Robotaxis](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/autonomous-taxis.md) - [Space-Saving Urban Mobility Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/project-doro.md) - [Panoramic Open-Air Roof Trains](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-train.md)