A mix of tram, train and bus, without rails or cables, is already present in Chinese cities and will be experimented in Australia, where in the coming weeks a pilot test will be carried out with a tram that will link Stirling, one of the residential neighborhoods of Perth, with Scarborough Beach within a seven-kilometre distance. This is an initiative by Perth municipal officials that wants to “encourage citizens to leave their cars and use public transport.” Its final implementation will depend on the conclusions of the feasibility studies, which will include the opinions of users.
China is a pioneer in the commissioning of trackless electric trams, which are less invasive than conventional trams and much more economical, since it is not necessary to build infrastructure. They are known as autonomous rapid transit (ART) and their first units entered service in 2017 in Zhunzhou. Thanks to a system of cameras and sensors, it is guided through the lines painted on the road and can modify the route to avoid accidents or to avoid obstacles, for example, double-file cars.
It works with lithium titanate batteries and its range is 40 km. It can recharge part of the batteries in 30 seconds at the points installed at the stations and reach 70 km/h. It has tires and can transport up to 300 people, although there are five-car versions for 500 occupants. Now it is used with a driver, but it has automatic driving systems.
