The ART, constructed by CRRC, a subsidiary of China National Railway Corporation, utilizes the same LiDAR technology found in Tesla's self-driving cars. It travels along roadways marked with double dashed lines, eliminating the need for embedded tracks on existing platforms while still requiring a driver for safety reasons.
This track-guided tram, often described as a hybrid of buses and trains, will undergo three months of testing on the streets of Kuching, the largest city in Sarawak, Malaysia. The plan is to commence passenger service by the end of 2025, with a total of 38 units covering three routes within the city's new urban transportation network.
The battery-electric version of China's ART is currently employed in public transportation, but this marks the debut of the hydrogen-powered model.
With a single charge of the fuel cell unit lasting 10 minutes, the tram can travel up to 245 kilometers at speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour, accommodating a maximum of 307 passengers simultaneously.
"The smart track-guided tram takes the lead in adopting hydrogen power systems, offering advantages such as longer range and shorter refueling times, while also being energy-efficient and environmentally friendly," stated CRRC.
