The Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit is an articulated bus that operates on a LiDAR-guided platform. The system was developed by CRRC Zhuzhou Institute Co Ltd., which unveiled it in Zhuzhou, Hunan province, on 2 June 2017. It is still in testing, however, the technology has been demonstrated to the public. The concept of Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit (ART) is an interesting one. It is a hybrid between a bus and a train. Its modular design allows for maximum capacity, ranging from 20 to 100 passengers. It can operate without a driver, yet it also comes with a stand-in driver. It can also follow white lines painted on streets, and it has sensors for avoiding obstacles. In the future, cities such as Austin and Jacksonville, Texas, may be able to begin offering revenue-based autonomous buses to their citizens.
The Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit (ART) system follows a virtual route instead of using a traditional track. It is expected to operate similarly to an urban train, yet, without the need for rails. The vehicle follows the double-dashed white lines on the road, and contains sensors that detect any obstacles it encounters. While the technology is in its early stages, it has many potential to improve public transportation. The system is also expected to be cheaper to implement than the current conventional rail system. If successful, this technology will revolutionize public transportation in cities around the world.
The self-driving ART train is currently in testing on a nine kilometer route. The research arm of the CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive, a subsidiary of CRRC, developed the autonomous train system. The self-driving train will run for up to 25 kilometers after charging for 10 minutes. It is expected to enter regular service next year. The market for this system could grow as demand for the system increases.