World's first trackless 'smart train' begins test run in China
- 6 years ago
ZHUZHOU, CHINA— A city in China has launched a test run for a futuristic urban transport system that's being called the world's first 'smart train'.
Described as a cross between a train, tram, and bus, the Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit is a 32-meter electric vehicle that runs at a maximum speed of 70 kilometers per hour, according to Xinhua News.
The ART is equipped with sensors to help it read road dimensions as it travels along a virtual track made up of dotted white lines painted on the road.
The "smart train" has three carriages, and is capable of carrying up to 300 passengers.
The self-driving system uses rubber tires instead of steel wheels, and can travel up to 25 kilometers after a 10-minute charge.
At the moment, the train traverses a 3.1-kilometer route, traveling through four stations in the city of Zhuzhou, in the country's Hunan province.
A longer route is being planned, with the transport system aiming to eventually expand to other cities.
Described as a cross between a train, tram, and bus, the Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit is a 32-meter electric vehicle that runs at a maximum speed of 70 kilometers per hour, according to Xinhua News.
The ART is equipped with sensors to help it read road dimensions as it travels along a virtual track made up of dotted white lines painted on the road.
The "smart train" has three carriages, and is capable of carrying up to 300 passengers.
The self-driving system uses rubber tires instead of steel wheels, and can travel up to 25 kilometers after a 10-minute charge.
At the moment, the train traverses a 3.1-kilometer route, traveling through four stations in the city of Zhuzhou, in the country's Hunan province.
A longer route is being planned, with the transport system aiming to eventually expand to other cities.