Intelligent rail train to have trial operation in Xiamen

Model of the intelligent rail train is showcased at the 2018 Cross-Straits Green Transport Development Forum held in Xiamen on June 10. [Photo/xmnn.cn]

Xiamen is expected to establish a three-kilometer test road for intelligent rail trains by the end of this year, Shi Qiang, deputy director of Xiamen Transportation Bureau said at the 2018 Cross-Straits Green Transport Development Forum held in Xiamen on June 10.

Manufactured by Hunan-based CCRC Zhuzhou Institute Co, the intelligent train is 31.65 meters in length and 3.65 meters in width, and is capable of carrying up to 307 passengers.

Subway trains in the city can carry a maximum of 500 passengers while buses normally carry up to 100 passengers.

Shi said, "The intelligent rail train falls in between the two systems, which can greatly relieve the traffic pressure in Xiamen."

The train is designed to look like an improved version of a traditional tramcar and its interior is similar to a subway train.

However, the biggest difference of the newly-developed transport compared with the above two is that it can run without a rail and pantograph, a current collector mounted on the roof of an electric train, tram or electric bus.

The rail train can be charged at its first or last stop and can run a maximum of 60 km after being fully charged.

"The intelligent train itself can also adjust the number of thermal batteries based on different routes and actual situations," a technician from the intelligent rail train's manufacturer said.

Being driverless is the main feature of the train, which is monitored by a control center and a series of systems, including an onboard passenger information system (PIS), a closed circuit television (CCTV), an audio information system, and a global position system (GPS).

The intelligent rail train has been in operation in Zhuzhou, Hunan province in south China since May 8, 2018.

The deputy director of Xiamen Transportation Bureau confirmed that Xiamen will consider introducing the intelligent train if the trial operation goes well.

As an important part of the annual Cross-Straits Forum, the 2018 Cross-Straits Green Transport Development Forum attracted more than 200 experts in green transport from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan.