ART Smart Tram Prototype Will Begin Test Run In Kuching Next Month

According to state Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin, the engineering run for the world's first prototype hydrogen-powered Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) smart tram will begin at the Isthmus here on September 4 and will last until October 31, Malay Mail reported.

Lee stated in a statement that the test run will take place along the Jalan Keruing loop, passing Menara LCDA, Menara SEDC, Menara Sarawak Energy, and Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).

“The engineering run is to identify any potential issues before the start of the Proof of Concept (POC) exercise in Samarahan,” he said.


Lee said the smart tram, developed by China's CRRC Zhuzhou Institute Co Ltd, had been fully assembled over the past two weeks after arriving at Senari Terminal from Shanghai Port on August 5.
“The hydrogen vehicle will be moved to Kuching Port Authority’s Pending Terminal where it will be stabled (parked) until the end of the engineering run period in October.
“Refuelling of the prototype ART hydrogen vehicle will be done at Pending Terminal because Mobile Hydrogen Refuelling Station will be based there,” he said.
During a special briefing last week, he added, the ministry met with industry players and government agencies with offices on the Isthmus, as well as the relevant enforcement authorities.

“To prepare for the engineering run, works to close certain sections of the road in the area will begin tomorrow (August 23).
“The road closures will be advertised on Sarawak Metro’s social media platforms and in local newspapers from August 22. This initiative aims to notify residents and employees who work in the vicinity, enabling them to adjust their daily travel routines during the two-month period,” he added.
"From August 22, the road closures will be advertised on Sarawak Metro's social media platforms and in local newspapers." "The goal of this initiative is to notify residents and employees who work nearby so that they can adjust their daily travel routines during the two-month period," he said.

Lee also stated that the smart tram would travel to Kota Samarahan in November for a month-long proof-of-concept test.

This second test would begin on a 3km permanent dedicated lane constructed between two roundabouts on a section of the Kuching-Samarahan Expressway.
“The dedicated lane is near the Sarawak Heart Centre to the roundabout near SAINS. This POC exercise is conducted to gather data to evaluate the feasibility of the prototype for the final design of the ART to accommodate a maximum capacity of passengers,” he said.
However, Lee stated that the passenger service will be closed to the public during both test runs, and that only selected stakeholders from the relevant public and private sectors will be able to use it.
“The main reason we are not opening this up to the public, in terms of riding on the ART, is due to the fact that this is still a prototype vehicle and the main aim is to test its performance here in Sarawak.”