CRRC delivers two autonomous rail rapid transit trains to UAE

Workers operate on a production line at an assembly workshop of CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co., Ltd. in Zhuzhou, central China's Hunan Province, July 5, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Zeguo)

Two Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit Trains (ART) produced by CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co., Ltd, a subsidiary of CRRC Group, will set off from south China’s Guangzhou to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking CRRC's first batch of ART trains delivered to overseas users, reported Chinanews.com Tuesday.

As a new green transportation tool independently developed by CRRC, the ART train integrates the advantages of trams and buses, with strong transportation capacity, and the train also has the unique advantages of low investment cost, short construction cycle and flexible operation, according to CRRC.

Meanwhile, the train adopts the “virtual rail following control” technology, precisely keeping the train on the pre-defined virtual trajectory by using the sensor onboard to identify the virtual trail on the ground and giving command via the central control unit, thus realizing unmanned driving.

The ART trains delivered this time are specially customized for the UAE with a roof material that resists direct sunlight and high temperature to better adapt to the local natural conditions. At the same time, the trains can achieve a strong transportation capacity with a cruising range of 80 kilometers on a single charge, said the CRRC.

It is noted that since CRRC's ART trains were put into operation in 2017, four operating lines have been opened in China, and CRRC has successively reached cooperation agreements with Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates and other countries and regions to further expand the company's overseas business.