Built by a Chinese train-building giant, an Automated Rapid Transit (ART) trackless tram is undergoing trials in Malaysia's administrative capital Putrajaya, about half an hour from Kuala Lumpur.
The China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) has been helping Malaysia upgrade and expand its national and urban rail and transit networks under the Belt and Road Initiative, and the trackless tram is its latest project in this arena. The electric vehicle is equipped with multiple sensors that allow it to follow a virtual track on the road without human guidance, but it does have a driver to make any necessary steering adjustments, particularly during the trial period.
The city of Kuching in Malaysian Borneo is reported to be the first jurisdiction outside China to confirm its adoption of this system. Other cities are also looking at CRRC's trackless trams as a more cost-effective alternative to the Light Rail Transit system.
The trial period runs until July 31, and it is free to ride on the Putrajaya service. Passengers said they were excited to try the vehicle.
"It's attractive for people to travel in it. It's very safe and at the same time, because they use green technology, there's no pollution," said a passenger.
"This is great. If you are here to see the view, I must recommend you take the ART, because it gives you the opportunity to actually have a very good view of what Putrajaya is really like," said another passenger.
The tram glides past the major sights of the scenic city – the pink Putra Mosque, the green domes of the Prime Minister's department, and dramatic bridges spanning Putrajaya's numerous artificial lakes.
Passengers taking the trackless tram are asked to register using a QR code and answer a questionnaire to give their feedback.
The trackless trams will be imported from China, but CRRC has been assembling hybrid diesel/electric and fully electric trains as well as light rail trains for several years at a plant in central Malaysia.
If this trial continues to go well, CRRC's latest contribution to moving people in Malaysia more cleanly and efficiently should be rolled out in Putrajaya at the end of this year.
China-built trackless tram impresses commuters in Malaysia
China’s BRI project helps upgrade and expand urban transit networks in Malaysia
