Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit

Short description: Railless guided tram system

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Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART)
智能轨道快运系统 (智轨)[1]

Manufacturer| CRRC Zhuzhou Institute Co Ltd
Family name| Guided bi-articulated bus
Constructed| 2017
Entered service| Inauguration date: 2018[2][3]
Specifications
Car body construction| Space frame with bolted-on panels
Train length| 3 carriages: 31.64 m
(103 ft 9 5⁄8 in)
Width| 2.65 m (8 ft 8 3⁄8 in)[4]
Height| 3.4 m (11 ft 1 7⁄8 in)[4]
Low-floor| Yes
Maximum speed| 70 km/h (43 mph)[5]
Power supply| 600 kWh Lithium–titanate batteries[6]
Electric system(s)| 10 kV
Wheels driven| Rubber wheels on a plastic core[7]
Bogies| Multi-axle steering system,[6] Active suspension
Minimum turning radius| 15 m (49.2 ft)
Track gauge| N/A
Passengers|

* 170-307 in 3 carriages[8]

* 278-500 in 5 carriages

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Max. distance at full charge| 40 km (25 miles) (standard model)[2]
80 km (50 miles) (UAE model)
Charging time|

* 30 sec for 3 to 5 km
(1.9 to 3.1 miles):[9]

* 10 min for 25 km
(16 miles)[7]

Min. width of lane| 3.83 m (12.6 ft)[10]
Life expectancy| 25+ years for body structure

Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit (ART) is a lidar (light detection and ranging) guided articulated bus system for urban passenger transport. Developed by CRRC Zhuzhou Institute Co Ltd, it was unveiled in Zhuzhou in the Hunan province on June 2, 2017.[2][3][11] ART has been described as a combination between a bus and a tram. Its exterior is composed of individual fixed sections joined by articulated gangways, resembling a rubber-tyred tram.

The system is labelled as "autonomous" in English, however, the models in operation are optically guided and feature a driver on board.[12]

Automated Rapid Transit systems (ARTs) can operate independently without the need for a guiding sensor and as a result, they fall under the classification of buses. Consequently, vehicles deployed on these routes are mandated to display license plates.

## Contents

* 1 Background
* 2 Description
* 3 Sensors and batteries
* 4 Benefits and limitations
* 5 List of commercially operating lines
* 6 Proposed systems
* 7 See also
* 8 References

## Background

Before the announcement by CRRC, optical guided buses have been in use in a number of cities in Europe and North America, including in Rouen as part of Transport Est-Ouest Rouennais, in Las Vegas as a segment of Metropolitan Area Express BRT service (now discontinued), and in Castellón de la Plana as Line 1 (TRAM de Castellón) (es). The guidance system technology used on these systems was called Visée under their original developer Matra, and is now named Optiguide after being acquired by Siemens.[13]

## Description

An ART bus with three carriages is approximately 30 m (98 ft 5 in) long and costs approximately 15 million yuan (US$2.2 million) to build.[6] It can travel at a speed of 70 km/h (43 mph) and can carry up to 300 passengers.[5] A five-carriage bus provides space for 500 passengers.[2][5] A four carriage model was introduced in 2021 which can carry 320 passengers.[14] Two buses can closely follow each other without being mechanically connected, similarly to multiple unit train control.[10] The entire ART has a low-floor design from a space frame with bolted-on panels to support the weight of passengers.[9] It is built as a bi-directional vehicle, with driver's cabs at either end, allowing it to travel in either direction at full speed.

The 6.5 km (4.0 miles) long ART lane was built through downtown Zhuzhou and inaugurated in 2018.[2]

## Sensors and batteries

The ART is equipped with various optical and other types of sensors to allow the vehicle to automatically follow a route defined by a virtual track of markings on the roadway.[2] A steering wheel also allows the driver to manually guide the vehicle, including around detours.[8][10] A Lane Departure Warning System helps to keep the vehicle in its lane and automatically warns, if it drifts away from the lane. A Collision Warning System supports the driver on keeping a safe distance with other vehicles on the road and if the proximity reduces below a given level, it alerts the driver by a warning sign. The Route Change Authorization is a navigation device, which analyzes the traffic conditions on the chosen route and can recommend a detour to avoid traffic congestion. The Electronic Rearview Mirrors work with remotely adjustable cameras and provide a clearer view than conventional mirrors, including an auto dimming device to reduce the glare.[6]

The ART is powered by lithium–titanate batteries and can travel a distance of 40 km (25 miles) per full charge. The batteries can be recharged via current collectors at stations.[4] The recharging time for a 3 to 5 km (1.9 to 3.1 mi) trip is 30 seconds[9] and for a 25 km (16 mi) trip, 10 minutes.[15]

## Benefits and limitations

A 2018 article by a sustainability academic argued trackless trams could replace both light-rail and bus rapid transit due to low cost, quick installation and low emissions.[16] Others have disputed the claims about cost and quick installations, and argued that ART is a proprietary technology with little deployment worldwide.[17][18] Other experts have argued the technology is overhyped, that optical guidance technology is not new, and that current proposals largely represent a repackaging of the bus as a rail-replacement technology.[19] As of 2022 there are no systems outside of China and few proposals. That may be because:

* The system is not fully autonomous
* The system is not rail-based and so has the ride qualities of a bus[citation needed]
* The vehicles can get stuck in road traffic when not operated in dedicated rights of way
* The required vehicles cannot be bought through competitive tender

Proponents have argued the lack of rails means cheaper construction costs.[6] Multi-axle hydraulic steering technology and bogie-like wheel arrangement could allow lower swept path in turns, thus requiring less side clearance.[20] The minimum turning radius of 15 m (49 ft 3 in) is similar to buses.[citation needed]

Yibin ART Line T1

However, because the ART is a guided system, ruts and depressions could be worn into the road by the alignment of the large number of wheels, so reinforcement of the roadway to prevent those problems may be as disruptive as the installation of rails in a light rail system. Researchers in 2021 found evidence of significant road wear due to trackless tram vehicles, which undermined claims of quick construction, with the researchers finding significant road strengthening was required by the technology.[21] The suitability of the system for winter climates with ice and snow has not yet been proven. The higher rolling resistance of rubber tires requires more energy for propulsion than the steel wheels of a light rail vehicle.

A few abandoned proposals for light-rail lines have been revived as ART proposals because of the lower projected costs. However, a different report, by the Australian Railways Association, which supports light rail, said there were reliability questions with ART installations, implying the initial suggested capital cost savings were illusory.[22] A November 2020 proposal for a trackless tram system in the City of Wyndham, near Melbourne, posited a cost of $AU23.53M per km for roadworks, vehicles, recharge point and depots.[23] Recently completed light rail systems in Australia have had costs of between $AU80M and $AU150M per km.[24][25]

The Government of New South Wales considered the system as an alternative to light rail for a line to connect Sydney Olympic Park to Parramatta. However, concerns were raised that there was only one supplier of the technology,[26] and that the development of "long articulated buses" was "too much in its preliminary phase" to meet the project deadlines. Instead, the plan was to build a light-rail line which would connect to another light-rail route already under construction, so passengers would not have to change vehicles.[27]

The Auckland Light Rail Group, in its studies of trackless trams for the City Centre to Mangere line, found that trackless trams would have a lower capacity than claimed. The official specifications for the ARRT assume a standing density of eight passengers per square meter, whereas many transit systems have more typical standing densities of four passengers per square meter. Based on that, the 32-metre (105 ft 0 in) long ARRT would more realistically have a capacity of 170 passengers, rather than the claimed 307.[28] This would be only a slight increase over the typical capacity of conventional bi-articulated buses at the same passenger density (~150 passengers), and less than a typical 33 m (108 ft 3 in) long LRV (~210-225 passengers).

## List of commercially operating lines

List of commercial operation lines

Line  | System  | Locale  | Length  | Stations  | Opened
Line A1 Chinese: 智能轨道快运A1线 | Zhuzhou ART[29] | Zhuzhou  | 3.6 km (2.2 mi)[citation needed] | 4[citation needed] | 2018-05-18
Line A2 Chinese: 智能轨道快运A2线 | Zhuzhou ART | Zhuzhou  | 7.1 km (4.4 mi)  | 7 + 1 (temporary)  | 2021-03-30 [30]
Line T1 Chinese: 智轨T1线 | Yibin ART[31] | Yibin  | 17.7 km (11.0 mi)[1] | 16  | 2019-12-05
Line 1 Chinese: 临港中运量1号线 | Lingang DRT | Shanghai | 47.95 km (29.79 mi)  | 26  | 2021-06-30
Line 2 Chinese: 临港中运量2号线 | 2022-11-28
Line 3 Chinese: 临港中运量3号线 | 2023-07-05
Systems in trial operation
SRT Line 1  | Yancheng SRT | Yancheng  | 13 km (8.1 mi)  | 17[32][14] | 2021-04-16
unknown  | Yongxiu ART[33] | Yongxiu  | 5 km (3.1 mi)
(total planned 16 km (9.9 mi))  | 4[34] | 2019-03-20[35]

## Proposed systems

Proposals, including vehicle testing, have been made in several countries.

* China , Changsha. Changsha Meixi Lake to Changsha Municipal Government line, reported to start construction in 2021 for completion in 2022[33][needs update]
* China , Harbin. In May 2021 testing of a vehicle was underway with plans for an 18.2 km (11.3 mi) route with 11 stations.[36] There are reports that stations have been constructed in January 2021[37] and trial operations will commence in August 2021.[38][needs update]
* China , Tongli. As of February 2021[update] testing was underway with the service expected to open to passengers by the end of 2021.[39][needs update]
* China , Xi'an. Two routes. One with 18 stations over 29.7 km (18.5 mi) and second with 9 stations over 10.6 km (6.6 mi).[40]
* Malaysia. Iskandar Malaysia Bus Rapid Transit in Johor. ART is one technology under consideration for the corridor. A three-month test of an ART vehicle, along with eight other bus types, began in April 2021.[41][42]
* Malaysia. Kuching Urban Transportation System in Kuching. The three line Kuching LRT project was proposed as a light-rail in 2018, but shelved due to costs. In 2019, the government of Sarawak announced that the ART technology had been selected instead, due to its lower costs for similar levels of service.[43] As of August 2023[update], the project has commenced construction and is under testing.[44]
* Qatar. The system was considered for use during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but was not pursued.[45] In July 2019 a two-week test with one vehicle was undertaken in Doha, the first trial outside China.[46]Template:Outdated inline
* Australia , Western Australia. In March 2021, the Australian Government provided $2 million to produce a business case to investigate a trackless tram on Scarborough Beach Road between the Stirling City Centre and the Perth CBD.[47] In September 2023, a trackless tram was delivered to the City of Stirling to begin trials for a proposed route between Glendalough railway station and Scarborough Beach.[48]

## See also

* Automatic train operation
* Bi-articulated bus
* Bombardier Guided Light Transit
* Brisbane Metro
* Gadgetbahn
* Guided bus
* Phileas bus
* Translohr Rubber-tyred trams
* Trackless train
* Transport Est-Ouest Rouennais
* Wright StreetCar
* Transit Elevated Bus (TEB)

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "宜宾：全球首条智能轨道快运系统运营线开通". 2019-12-05. https://cbgc.scol.com.cn/news/202642.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "First railless train unveiled in CRRC Zhuzhou". 6 June 2017. http://www.crrcgc.cc/en/g7389/s13996/t286142.aspx.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Xiang Bo: Chinese rail maker develops smart bus. Xinhua, 2 June 2017 20:26. Downloaded on 4. August 2017.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 World's first train running on virtual tracks released. New China TV, 2 June 2017. Downloaded on 22 July 2017.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Newman, Peter (September 25, 2018). "Why Trackless Trams Are Ready to Replace Light Rail". The Conversation US. https://theconversation.com/why-trackless-trams-are-ready-to-replace-light-rail-103690.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Rastogi, Neha. "China Unwraps World's first Driverless Rail Transit System with Autonomous Technology". Engineers Garage. https://www.engineersgarage.com/blogs/china-unwraps-world-first-driverless-rail-transit-system-autonomous-technology.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Amazing World: Track-less train : The transit system uses rubber wheels on a plastic core : Trains without track. 3 June 2017. Downloaded on 22 July 2017.
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Vocativ: This Train Runs On Virtual Tracks. China Central Television (CCTV), 6 June 2017. Downloaded on 22 July 2017.
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Quick charge! Supercapacitor tram unveiled in China. New China TV, 2 June 2017. Downloaded on 22 July 2017.
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Ken Huang: ART 宣传视频2017. 5 April 2017. Downloaded on 22 July 2017.
11. ↑ Spiegel TV.
12. ↑ Chamberlain, Lisa (2020-12-23). "Trackless trams may be the best alternative to light rail" (in en-US). https://citymonitor.ai/transport/trackless-trams-may-be-the-best-alternative-to-light-rail.
13. ↑ "Debunking the myths around optically-guided bus (trackless trams)". https://www.sydney.edu.au/business/news-and-events/news/2019/01/21/debunking-the-myths-around-optically-guided-bus--trackless-trams.html.
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "全国首条超级虚拟轨道列车来啦！盐城市区SRT一号线16日开通试运行". XHBY. 15 April 2021. http://news.xhby.net/yc/yw/202104/t20210415_7049392.shtml.
15. ↑ (in en) Track-less train : The transit system uses rubber wheels on a plastic core : Trains without track, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krI_5vl76TI, retrieved 2022-11-04
16. ↑ "Why trackless trams are ready to replace light rail". The Conversation. 25 September 2018. https://theconversation.com/why-trackless-trams-are-ready-to-replace-light-rail-103690.
17. ↑ "Are trackless trams really ready to replace light rail?" (in en-AU). 2021-11-14. https://ptcbr.org/2021/11/14/are-trackless-trams-really-ready-to-replace-light-rail/.
18. ↑ Shepherd, April (2021-06-09). "ARA cautions against trackless trams, praises light rail" (in en-US). https://infrastructuremagazine.com.au/2021/06/09/ara-cautions-against-trackless-trams-praises-light-rail/.
19. ↑ Wong, Yale Z. (5 December 2018). "Looking past the hype about 'trackless trams'" (in en). http://theconversation.com/looking-past-the-hype-about-trackless-trams-107092.
20. ↑ "Looking past the hype about 'trackless trams'". The Conversation. 6 December 2018. https://theconversation.com/looking-past-the-hype-about-trackless-trams-107092.
21. ↑ Reynolds, James; Pham, David; Currie, Graham (2021). "Do Trackless Trams need stronger roads? – the "weight" of evidence". Australasian Transport Research Forum. http://publictransportresearchgroup.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Reynolds-Pham-and-Currie-2021-Trackless-Trams-and-road-pavement-impacts.pdf.
22. ↑ "ARA cautions against trackless trams, praises light rail". Intrastructure Magazine. 9 June 2021. https://infrastructuremagazine.com.au/2021/06/09/ara-cautions-against-trackless-trams-praises-light-rail/.
23. ↑ "Developing a Transit Activated Corridor – the Wyndham Case Study". https://sbenrc.com.au/app/uploads/2020/12/1.62-Trackless-Trams-Draft-Wyndham-City-Case-Study-Report-mm-301120.pdf.
24. ↑ "Why trackless trams are ready to replace light rail". The Conversation. 26 September 2018. https://theconversation.com/why-trackless-trams-are-ready-to-replace-light-rail-103690.
25. ↑ "Why cities planning to spend billions on light rail should look again at what buses can do". The Conversation. 6 April 2021. https://theconversation.com/why-cities-planning-to-spend-billions-on-light-rail-should-look-again-at-what-buses-can-do-156844.
26. ↑ "Longer commute, inconvenient, not competitive: Internal report raises trackless tram concerns". Sydney Morning Herald. 30 December 2020. https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/longer-commute-inconvenient-not-competitive-internal-report-raises-trackless-tram-concerns-20201224-p56pzw.html.
27. ↑ "Missing link in Sydney's light rail back on track". Sydney Morning Herald. 14 June 2021. https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/missing-link-in-sydney-s-light-rail-back-on-track-20210614-p580y6.html.
28. ↑ "ALR trackless tram tech notes". https://www.greaterauckland.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/ALR-trackless-tram-tech-note-Sept-21.pdf.
29. ↑ https://www.crrcgc.cc/en/g7389/s13996/t292853.aspx The world's first ART demonstration line runs today!
30. ↑ "【带报站侧面视角POV】株洲智轨A2线首通段 湖南工大→株洲站西广场（临时站）". https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1uK4y1N7yZ.
31. ↑ https://www.intelligentliving.co/china-art-t1-train-virtual-painted-tracks/ China’s New ART T1 Train Runs On Virtual Painted Tracks
32. ↑ "国内首条超级虚拟轨道交通线在盐城"热身"测试". people.cn. 20 March 2021. http://js.people.com.cn/n2/2021/0320/c360303-34631960.html.
33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 "智轨被纳入行业团体标准晋升"国字号"". 18 July 2021. http://finance.eastmoney.com/a/202107182002468148.html.
34. ↑ "[China Bus Virtual rail train Yongxiu Jiangxi China"]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS6vN98xxKk.
35. ↑ "我国首条县域ART智轨电车在江西永修启动试乘". Sohu. 21 March 2019. https://www.sohu.com/a/302864810_763498.
36. ↑ "预计年运输乘客400万人次 智轨电车7月开跑". 28 May 2021. https://m.dbw.cn/heilongjiang/system/2021/05/28/058652430.shtml.
37. ↑ "哈尔滨新区智轨1号线7座站台主体建设完工". people.cn. 20 January 2021. http://hlj.people.com.cn/n2/2021/0120/c220027-34537521.html.
38. ↑ "Intelligent Rail 1 to begin pilot operations by August". e.my399.com. 1 June 2020. http://e.my399.com/travel/transport/2021-06-01/5603.html.
39. ↑ "长三角首列智轨列车苏州上路试跑，预计下半年正式载客". Finance Sina. 14 February 2021. https://finance.sina.com.cn/tech/2021-02-14/doc-ikftpnny6788414.shtml.
40. ↑ "【工程】"八线共建""首条智轨"……西安2021年城市基建重点项目名单！". 5 February 2021. https://www.cehome.com/news/20210205/262613.shtml.
41. ↑ "Iskandar Malaysia Bus Rapid Transit (IMBRT)". Land Transport Guru. 7 April 2021. https://landtransportguru.net/iskandar-malaysia-bus-rapid-transit/.
42. ↑ "A Trip on the Mobilus ART during the IMBRT Pilot Testing Programme (4K 60fps HDR)". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0-2Jhexqi0.
43. ↑ "CM: Sarawak decides on ART to improve public transport". Borneo Post Online. 21 September 2019. https://www.theborneopost.com/2019/09/21/cm-sarawak-decides-on-art-to-improve-public-transport/.
44. ↑ Rozlan, Ikmal (7 August 2023). "ART Smart Tram Arrives In Sarawak, Students To Get Special Rates". https://www.lowyat.net/2023/304802/art-smart-tram-sarawak/.
45. ↑ "China's Virtual Rail Transit System Put Through Its Paces in Doha". Railway-News. 24 July 2019. https://railway-news.com/virtual-rail-transit-system-doha/.
46. ↑ "China's self-driving trackless 'rail bus' tested in hot Doha". ECNS. 16 July 2019. http://www.ecns.cn/news/cns-wire/2019-07-16/detail-ifzkzyey4244121.shtml.
47. ↑ "Trackless Tram and Road Infrastructure (Scarborough Beach Road) Business Case". https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/projects/ProjectDetails.aspx?Project_id=108596-20WA-UCO.
48. ↑ "Australia's first trackless tram arrives in Perth before potential trial along Scarborough Beach Road". 27 September 2023. https://www.perthnow.com.au/local-news/australias-first-trackless-tram-arrives-in-perth-before-potential-trial-along-scarborough-beach-road-c-12030209.

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