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ABU DHABI / GULF TIME
The trial operation of the Automated Rapid Transit (ART), a clean energy Tram with new trackless technology provided by NORINCO International, has been successfully performed in downtown Abu Dhabi since October 6, 2023.
The first phase of this trial operation is expected to last about a month, with trains departing from Reem Mall at one-hour headway from 10:00 a.m. to 14:00 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The line connects Reem Mall with Marina Mall and runs through Zayed the First Street and Corniche Street in downtown Abu Dhabi, with a total of 25 stations and a length of approximately 27 kilometers.
ART is a new type of trackless tram developed and produced in China, and all of them are powered by lithium batteries and driven by advanced permanent magnet motors. ART has the feature of smart driving, clean energy, low noise level and comfortable ride experience. It also has the advantages of short deployment cycle, flexible relocation, beautiful appearance and low cost. ART can provide the same level of public transportation service as ordinary tram, but the comprehensive cost is much lower than the later. ART can run directly on ordinary city roads, and only needs charging facilities at the first and last stations or depots to ensure the operation of the Vehicles on the whole line.
The ART Vehicles for the Abu Dhabi project consists of three modules, the total length of each Vehicle is 30.2m, and can carry 220 passengers. The maximum operating speed of the ART is 80km / h, and each Vehicle is equipped with 6 pairs of 12 rubber wheels. ART’s unique trajectory following function ensures that the trajectory of the first pair of wheels can be completely overlapped by the following 5 wheel pairs, thus making the Vehicle as driving on the track, and the smallest turning radius is 15m, which fully satisfies the requirement of the operation on ordinary urban road. By spraying a specific guide line on the ART’s running line, the ART’s intelligent assisted driving function can automatically follow the track and drive along the guide line, freeing the driver from steering wheel operation.
ART’s trial operation in Abu Dhabi is led by the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) and the Integrated Transport Center (ITC) as a key component of its strategy of building an intelligent urban transportation. The strategy aims to respond to the UAE’s sustainable development goals by building an efficient and sustainable urban public transport system and to enhance the environmental friendliness and intelligence of the public transport network through the introduction of emerging technologies.
The introduction of ART system helps Abu Dhabi to enhance the intelligence of its urban public transportation and further reduce carbon emissions. At the same time, ART also provides Abu Dhabi residents and tourists with a new convenient and comfortable travel options, and contribute to Abu Dhabi’s efforts to further improve its livability and image of the city.