Abu Dhabi Tram | New Attraction in Abu Dhabi | The Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) | Electric Bus

New attraction in Abu Dhabi city 😍 Tram without track.. Tram Starting Points: Marina Mall (Behind Marina Mall, Infront of Rixos Marina Hotel) Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UVbbr8ffQTU7E... Reem Mall Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HQtCapNjwwget... A new tram-like electric bus is now operating in Abu Dhabi city.The Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) vehicles run on Fridays, Saturday and Sundays, connecting Reem Mall with Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi in a 14-stop route.The vehicles, which can carry up to 240 passengers were initially launched on Yas Island in December, as part of Abu Dhabi’s Smart Mobility Project. The Abu Dhabi ART service stops at Marina Square, The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Sheikh Hazza Bin Sultan Mosque, City Seasons Al Hamra Hotel, Lifeline Hospital, NMC Specialty Hospital, Qasr Al Hosn, Sheraton Khalidiya Hotel, Khalidiya Park, Sheikha Fatima Park, Corniche and Marina Mall. The first service leaves Reem Mall at 10am and arrives at Rixos Marina Mall in just over an hour. There are five services each way, leaving on the hour from Reem Mall, and returning at quarter past the hour, with the final service arriving at just after 4pm. History: The Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit (ART) is a lidar-guided articulated bus system designed for urban transport. Developed by CRRC Zhuzhou Institute Co Ltd, it was unveiled in Zhuzhou, Hunan, China, on June 2, 2017. ART combines features of both buses and trams, with a rubber-tyred, articulated design resembling a tram. Unlike traditional rail systems, ART operates without physical tracks, using a virtual track defined by road markings. ART systems can function independently without a guiding sensor, classifying them as buses, requiring them to display license plates. Similar optical-guided buses have been used in Europe and North America before ART’s introduction. A standard three-carriage ART bus is 30 meters (98 ft 5 in) long, costs $2.2 million, travels up to 70 km/h (43 mph), and carries 200 passengers. In 2021, a four-carriage model was introduced, expanding capacity to 320 passengers. Two ART buses can follow each other closely, mimicking train-like operation without a mechanical connection. The low-floor design ensures accessibility, and dual driver’s cabs allow bidirectional movement. The first ART lane, a 6.5 km (4.0-mile) route through downtown Zhuzhou, opened in 2018. ART is equipped with optical sensors, allowing it to autonomously follow its route while providing manual steering options for drivers. Lane Departure Warning helps keep the vehicle centered, while Collision Warning alerts drivers to maintain safe distances. The Route Change Authorization system analyzes traffic and suggests detours to avoid congestion. Electronic Rearview Mirrors use cameras for clearer visibility, reducing glare with auto-dimming. These advanced safety and navigation systems enhance ART’s efficiency and reliability, making it a promising alternative to traditional public transport. The ART is powered by lithium–titanate batteries and can travel a distance of 40 km (25 miles) per full charge. The batteries can be recharged via current collectors at stations. The recharging time for a 3 to 5 km (1.9 to 3.1 mi) trip is 30 seconds and for a 25 km (16 mi) trip, 10 minutes. (Courtesy: Wikipedia) Abu Dhabi's Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) bus still has drivers for several reasons: 1. Safety & Supervision While the ART system uses autonomous technology, a human driver is present to take control if needed. Autonomous systems can struggle with unexpected road conditions, pedestrians, or erratic drivers, so a backup driver ensures passenger safety. 2. Regulatory & Legal Requirements UAE laws still require a human operator in autonomous vehicles, especially in public transportation, until regulations fully adapt to self-driving tech. 3. Technical Limitations The ART bus relies on AI, sensors, and GPS, but full autonomy isn't perfect yet. Issues like weather conditions, roadworks, or GPS signal loss may require human intervention. 4. Passenger Confidence & Trust Many passengers feel safer knowing a driver is present. It helps build trust in autonomous technology before fully driverless operations become mainstream. 5. Testing & Gradual Transition The ART system is still in a trial and adaptation phase. Having drivers ensures smooth operations while data is collected to improve future fully autonomous services. So, while the ART bus uses cutting-edge automation, a human driver is still essential for now! 🚍🤖 ————————————————————————————— Music: Adrian von Ziegler - Evocation ————————————————————————————— Location: Abu Dhabi 🎥 Sunday, 29 October 2023 🕒 10:00 AM 🌡 29 °C / 85 °F Gadget:  iPhone 14 Pro Max Editing:  Final Cut Pro —————————————————————————————