ART (Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit) Tramway

2024: Commissioning

In early September 2024, it became known that China put into operation the world's first trams. The system was named ART (Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit).

Outwardly, the car resembles a traditional low-floor tram, but it moves like a bus. Such transport does not require rails - during the movement, ART relies on special road markings. The system uses sensors, cameras and artificial intelligence to analyze the environment, identify objects and respond to obstacles in real time. The result is safe traffic in a busy urban environment. +

Trams use a fully electric power plant and operate from batteries with the ability to quickly charge through pantographs along the lines. It is noted that a 10-minute charge is enough for 25 km of track. Such transport can travel at speeds up to 70 km/h, and the capacity is up to 500 passengers.

Ditching rails is particularly useful where installing tram tracks would be impractical or too expensive. This concept reduces the cost of building or upgrading road infrastructure. Due to the use of electric traction, the negative impact on the environment is minimized. Trackless trams are easily integrated into existing transport networks. These cars share roads with conventional public transport, providing a convenient connection between the first and last mile. Due to the absence of binding to rails, it is possible to flexibly adjust routes depending on changing demand at different times of the day or during any events. The new system is capable of providing passenger traffic both in densely populated metropolitan areas and in small urban centers.^[1]

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