Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit#List of commercially operating lines

{{See also|Guided bus#Guidance systems}}

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 {{ill|Line 1 (TRAM de Castellón)|es|Línea 1 (TRAM de Castellón)|lt=Line 1 in TRAM de Castellón network}}. 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sydney.edu.au/business/news-and-events/news/2019/01/21/debunking-the-myths-around-optically-guided-bus--trackless-trams.html|title=Debunking the myths around optically-guided bus (trackless trams)|website=The University of Sydney}}

{{See also|Articulated bus|Bi-articulated bus}}

An ART vehicle with three carriages is approximately {{cvt|30|m|ftin}} long. It can travel at a speed of {{cvt|70|km/h|mph}} and can carry up to 300 passengers. A five-carriage ART vehicle provides space for 500 passengers. A four carriage model was introduced in 2021 which can carry 400 passengers.{{cite news |title=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 |url=http://news.xhby.net/yc/yw/202104/t20210415_7049392.shtml |access-date=20 July 2021 |publisher=XHBY |date=15 April 2021}} Two vehicles can closely follow each other without being mechanically connected, similarly to multiple unit train control.Ken Huang: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnGyaPgrGKQ#t=240.559212 ART 宣传视频2017.] 5 April 2017. Downloaded on 22 July 2017. The entire ART has a low-floor design from a space frame with bolted-on panels to support the weight of passengers. 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 {{convert|6.5|km|mi|abbr=in}} long ART lane was built through downtown Zhuzhou and inaugurated in 2018.{{cite web |url=http://www.crrcgc.cc/en/g7389/s13996/t286142.aspx |website=CRRC |date=6 June 2017 |title=First railless train unveiled in CRRC Zhuzhou |url-status=live |access-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612051603/http://www.crrcgc.cc:80/en/g7389/s13996/t286142.aspx |archive-date=2017-06-12 }}

{{See also|Battery electric bus}}

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. A steering wheel also allows the driver to manually guide the vehicle, including around detours.Vocativ: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBdkSb-uR4A This Train Runs On Virtual Tracks.] China Central Television (CCTV), 6 June 2017. Downloaded on 22 July 2017. 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.{{cite news |last1=Rastogi |first1=Neha |title=China Unwraps World's first Driverless Rail Transit System with Autonomous Technology |url=https://www.engineersgarage.com/blogs/china-unwraps-world-first-driverless-rail-transit-system-autonomous-technology |access-date= 23 July 2017 |publisher=Engineers Garage |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802003705/https://www.engineersgarage.com/blogs/china-unwraps-world-first-driverless-rail-transit-system-autonomous-technology |archive-date=2017-08-02}}

The ART is powered by lithium–titanate batteries and can travel a distance of {{convert|40|km|mi|abbr=in}} per full charge. The batteries can be recharged via current collectors at stations.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr9-J3nOKbE World's first train running on virtual tracks released.] New China TV, 2 June 2017. Downloaded on 22 July 2017. The recharging time for a {{convert|3 to 5|km|mi|abbr=on}} trip is 30 seconds and for a {{convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on}} trip, 10 minutes.{{Citation |title=Track-less train : The transit system uses rubber wheels on a plastic core : Trains without track | date=3 June 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krI_5vl76TI |language=en |access-date=2022-11-04}}

{{See also|Light rail transit|Bus rapid transit}}

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.{{cite news |title= Why trackless trams are ready to replace light rail |url=https://theconversation.com/why-trackless-trams-are-ready-to-replace-light-rail-103690 |access-date=6 February 2022 |publisher=The Conversation |date=25 September 2018}} Others have disputed the claims about cost and quick installations, and argued that ART is a proprietary technology with little deployment worldwide.{{Cite web |author= |date=2021-11-14 |title=Are trackless trams really ready to replace light rail? |url=https://ptcbr.org/2021/11/14/are-trackless-trams-really-ready-to-replace-light-rail/ |access-date=2022-11-04 |website=Public Transport Association of Canberra |language=en-AU}}{{Cite web |last=Shepherd |first=April |date=2021-06-09 |title=ARA cautions against trackless trams, praises light rail |url=https://infrastructuremagazine.com.au/2021/06/09/ara-cautions-against-trackless-trams-praises-light-rail/ |access-date=2022-11-04 |website=Infrastructure Magazine |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Wong |first=Yale Z. |title=Looking past the hype about 'trackless trams' |url=http://theconversation.com/looking-past-the-hype-about-trackless-trams-107092 |access-date=2022-11-04 |website=The Conversation |date=5 December 2018 |language=en}} 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|date=January 2024}}
• 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. Multi-axle hydraulic steering technology and bogie-like wheel arrangement could allow lower swept path in turns, thus requiring less side clearance.{{cite news |title=Looking past the hype about 'trackless trams' |url=https://theconversation.com/looking-past-the-hype-about-trackless-trams-107092 |access-date=19 July 2021 |publisher=The Conversation |date=6 December 2018}} The minimum turning radius of {{convert|15|m|ftin|abbr=on}} is similar to buses.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

File:Yibin ART System 10 15 43 362000.jpeg 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.{{Cite journal |last1=Reynolds |first1=James |last2=Pham |first2=David |last3=Currie |first3=Graham |date=2021 |title=Do Trackless Trams need stronger roads? – the "weight" of evidence |url=http://publictransportresearchgroup.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Reynolds-Pham-and-Currie-2021-Trackless-Trams-and-road-pavement-impacts.pdf |journal=Australasian Transport Research Forum}} 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.{{cite news |title=ARA cautions against trackless trams, praises light rail |url=https://infrastructuremagazine.com.au/2021/06/09/ara-cautions-against-trackless-trams-praises-light-rail/ |access-date=20 July 2021 |publisher=Intrastructure Magazine |date=9 June 2021}} 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.{{cite web |title=Developing a Transit Activated Corridor – the Wyndham Case Study |url=https://sbenrc.com.au/app/uploads/2020/12/1.62-Trackless-Trams-Draft-Wyndham-City-Case-Study-Report-mm-301120.pdf |access-date=20 July 2021}} Recently completed light rail systems in Australia have had costs of between $AU80M and $AU150M per km.{{cite news |title=Why trackless trams are ready to replace light rail |url=https://theconversation.com/why-trackless-trams-are-ready-to-replace-light-rail-103690 |access-date=20 July 2021 |publisher=The Conversation |date=26 September 2018}}{{cite news |title=Why cities planning to spend billions on light rail should look again at what buses can do |url=https://theconversation.com/why-cities-planning-to-spend-billions-on-light-rail-should-look-again-at-what-buses-can-do-156844 |access-date=20 July 2021 |publisher=The Conversation |date=6 April 2021}}

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,{{cite news |title=Longer commute, inconvenient, not competitive: Internal report raises trackless tram concerns |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/longer-commute-inconvenient-not-competitive-internal-report-raises-trackless-tram-concerns-20201224-p56pzw.html |access-date=19 July 2021 |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald |date=30 December 2020}} 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.{{cite news |title=Missing link in Sydney's light rail back on track |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/missing-link-in-sydney-s-light-rail-back-on-track-20210614-p580y6.html |access-date=19 July 2021 |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald |date=14 June 2021}}

The Auckland Light Rail Group, in its studies of trackless trams for the City Centre to Māngere 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 {{Convert|32|m|ftin|adj=on}} long ARRT would more realistically have a capacity of 170 passengers, rather than the claimed 307.{{cite web |title=ALR trackless tram tech notes |website = GreaterAuckland|url=https://www.greaterauckland.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/ALR-trackless-tram-tech-note-Sept-21.pdf |access-date=21 February 2022}} 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 {{convert|33|m|ftin|abbr=on}} long LRV (~210-225 passengers).

File:CRRC ART train at Dataran Putrajaya during POD 2024 (240203) (cropped).jpg, Malaysia]]

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{{update inline|date=October 2023}}
• China, Harbin. In May 2021 testing of a vehicle was underway with plans for an {{convert|18.2|km|mi|abbr=on}} route with 11 stations.{{cite news |title=预计年运输乘客400万人次 智轨电车7月开跑 |url=https://m.dbw.cn/heilongjiang/system/2021/05/28/058652430.shtml |access-date=20 July 2021 |date=28 May 2021}} There are reports that stations have been constructed in January 2021{{cite news |title=哈尔滨新区智轨1号线7座站台主体建设完工 |url=http://hlj.people.com.cn/n2/2021/0120/c220027-34537521.html |access-date=2021-07-28 |publisher=people.cn |date=20 January 2021}} and trial operations will commence in August 2021.{{cite news |title=Intelligent Rail 1 to begin pilot operations by August |url=http://e.my399.com/travel/transport/2021-06-01/5603.html |access-date=2021-07-28 |publisher=e.my399.com |date=1 June 2020}}{{update inline|date=October 2023}}
• China, Tongli. {{As of|February 2021}} testing was underway with the service expected to open to passengers by the end of 2021.{{cite news |title=长三角首列智轨列车苏州上路试跑，预计下半年正式载客 |url=https://finance.sina.com.cn/tech/2021-02-14/doc-ikftpnny6788414.shtml |access-date=20 July 2021 |publisher=Finance Sina |date=14 February 2021}}{{update inline|date=October 2023}}
• China, Xi'an. Two routes. One with 18 stations over {{convert|29.7|km|mi|abbr=on}} and second with 9 stations over {{convert|10.6|km|mi|abbr=on}}.{{cite news |title=【工程】"八线共建""首条智轨"……西安2021年城市基建重点项目名单！ |url=https://www.cehome.com/news/20210205/262613.shtml |access-date=2021-07-31 |date=5 February 2021}}
• 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.{{cite news |title=Iskandar Malaysia Bus Rapid Transit (IMBRT) |url=https://landtransportguru.net/iskandar-malaysia-bus-rapid-transit/ |access-date=19 July 2021 |publisher=Land Transport Guru |date=7 April 2021}}{{cite web |title=A Trip on the Mobilus ART during the IMBRT Pilot Testing Programme (4K 60fps HDR) | website=YouTube | date=14 April 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0-2Jhexqi0 |access-date=19 July 2021}} In May 2024, the planned three line IMBRT was shelved due to unable to handle the traffic flow and affect the efficiency of the service. The traffic flow condition were projected to be much worse when the now under-construction RTS Link train line were expected to be completed by end 2026.{{Cite web |title=Iskandar Malaysia transit bus can't tackle traffic, shelved |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2024/05/17/iskandar-malaysia-transit-bus-cant-tackle-traffic-shelved |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=The Star |date=17 May 2024 |language=en}} The Johor government then propose the construction of Elevated Autonomous Rapid Transit (E-ART) system, a hybrid system utilising LRT infrastructure (without the LRT track) and ART system to replaced the now cancelled IMBRT.{{Cite web |title=Official: Johor preparing autonomous transit proposal for Putrajaya|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/05/07/official-johor-preparing-autonomous-transit-proposal-for-putrajaya/132899|access-date=2024-05-07 |website=Malay Mail|date=7 May 2024 |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=From LRT to ART: Johor switches gear to autonomous rapid transit system to ease congestion, spur development|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/johor-art-multi-tiered-elevated-rail-rts-hsr-4291196|access-date=2024-04-29 |website=CNA|language=en}}
• 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.{{cite news |title=CM: Sarawak decides on ART to improve public transport |url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2019/09/21/cm-sarawak-decides-on-art-to-improve-public-transport/ |access-date=19 July 2021 |publisher=Borneo Post Online |date=21 September 2019}} {{As of|August 2023}}, the project has commenced construction and is under testing.{{Cite web |last=Rozlan |first=Ikmal |date=7 August 2023 |title=ART Smart Tram Arrives In Sarawak, Students To Get Special Rates |url=https://www.lowyat.net/2023/304802/art-smart-tram-sarawak/ |access-date=26 August 2023 |website=Lowyat.net}}
• Mexico. Metrorrey Line 5 in Monterrey. This new line of the Metrorrey system is currently being built by the government of the state of Nuevo León. The public tender was awarded in 2022 to a consortium formed by the Portuguese firm Mota-Engil and the Chinese CRRC. In October 2023 Governor Samuel García presented the ART vehicles that would be used for the Line 5.{{cite news |title=Nuevo León presenta tren eléctrico autónomo para Línea 5 del Metro con vía digital

|url=https://www.milenio.com/politica/comunidad/presentan-tren-electrico-para-linea-5-del-metro-monterrey |access-date=22 April 2024 |publisher=Milenio|date=29 October 2023}} It is expected to open on 2027.

• Qatar. The system was considered for use during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but was not pursued.{{cite news |title=China's Virtual Rail Transit System Put Through Its Paces in Doha |url=https://railway-news.com/virtual-rail-transit-system-doha/ |access-date=14 July 2021 |publisher=Railway-News |date=24 July 2019}} In July 2019 a two-week test with one vehicle was undertaken in Doha, the first trial outside China.{{cite news |title=China's self-driving trackless 'rail bus' tested in hot Doha |url=http://www.ecns.cn/news/cns-wire/2019-07-16/detail-ifzkzyey4244121.shtml |access-date=14 July 2021 |publisher=ECNS |date=16 July 2019}}{{update inline|date=February 2023}}
• Australia. Perth In March 2021, the Government of Australia provided $2 million to produce a business case to investigate a trackless tram on Scarborough Beach Road between the Stirling and the Perth CBD.{{cite web |title=Trackless Tram and Road Infrastructure (Scarborough Beach Road) Business Case |url=https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/projects/ProjectDetails.aspx?Project_id=108596-20WA-UCO=|website=Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development & Communications |access-date=19 July 2021}} In September 2023, an ART vehicle was delivered to the City of Stirling to begin trials for a proposed route between Glendalough railway station and Scarborough Beach.{{cite web |title=Australia's first trackless tram arrives in Perth before potential trial along Scarborough Beach Road|website=PerthNow|date=27 September 2023 |url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/local-news/australias-first-trackless-tram-arrives-in-perth-before-potential-trial-along-scarborough-beach-road-c-12030209 |access-date=27 September 2023}}

• New Zealand. In June 2024, Auckland Transport indicated it was interested in trialling a trackless tram on the Northern Busway.{{cite web |title=Auckland transport: Trackless trams to be trialled before the end of the year – Simon Wilson |date=9 July 2024 |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland-transport-trackless-trams-to-be-trialled-before-the-end-of-the-year-simon-wilson/KFMGZJE7UJC7LA5H43VOOU7W7Y/ |access-date=10 November 2024}}

File:Trem Otonom terpadu in Nusantara.jpg

• Indonesia. The system was considered for use in Nusantara, the future capital city. The bus has been delivered in July 2024, was showcased in August 2024 at the time of the Independence Day, and tested 12 September to 22 October 2024.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Trem Otonom Buatan Tiongkok Bakal Meluncur di IKN, Tanpa Rel dan Ramah Lingkungan |url=https://www.goodnewsfromindonesia.id/2024/07/13/trem-otonom-buatan-tiongkok-bakal-meluncur-di-ikn-tanpa-rel-dan-ramah-lingkungan |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=Good News From Indonesia |language=id}}{{Cite web |last=Pitoko |first=Ridwan Aji |title=ART di IKN Berjalan Tanpa Rel, Lebih Canggih dari Trem Biasa |url=https://www.idntimes.com/business/economy/ridwan-aji-pitoko-1/art-di-ikn-berjalan-tanpa-rel-lebih-canggih-dari-trem-biasa |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=IDN Times |language=id}} It was decided to stop the project and return the bus to China because it cannot operate autonomously. Based on the results of the trial or Proof of Concept (PoC), the tram made by CRRC Qingdao Sifang requires manual intervention because the automatic control system is not yet functioning optimally. In addition, there are three reasons from the assessment team, namely the inability of the tram to operate fully autonomously, the system performance that has not been fully tested, and the autonomous braking system that is not yet optimal.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfpbKkjy2eg |title=Autonomous Rail Transit (ART) di IKN Akan Dikembalikan ke China |publisher=Kompas.com |date=2024-11-14 |language= |access-date=2025-05-03}}(Video on YouTube)

{{div col|colwidth=23em}}

• Automatic train operation
• Automated guideway transit
• Articulated bus
• Bi-articulated bus
• Battery electric bus
• Capacitor electric vehicle#Capabus
• Charging station
• Electric road
• Electric bus
• Fuel cell bus
• Gadgetbahn
• Guided bus
• Personal rapid transit
• Rubber-tyred metro
• Rubber-tyred tram
• Translohr
• Trolleybus
• Trackless train
• Transit Elevated Bus (TEB)
• Trolleybus#Off-wire power developments (In Motion Charging)
• Wright StreetCar

{{div col end}}

{{reflist}}

Category:Guided bus

Category:Self-driving cars

Category:Bus rapid transit in China

{{Public transport}}