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KUCHING, Aug 21: The Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) Hydrogen Vehicle (H2V) prototype will go through an engineering run at the Isthmus from Sept 4, 2023, to Oct 31, 2023, to identify any potential issues before the Proof of Concept (POC) exercise in Samarahan.
According to Transport Sarawak (MOTS) Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin in a press statement today, the test run will take place along the loop, i.e. Jalan Keruing passing Menara LCDA, Menara SEDC, Menara Sarawak Energy, and Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), and will require the closure of certain sections of the road.
“To prepare for the engineering run, works will begin on the road closure on Aug 23, 2023, for road diversion.
“Ample notices and signages will be put up prior to the road closures. The road closures will be advertised on Sarawak Metro’s social media platforms and in the local newspapers from tomorrow, Aug 22, 2023.
“This initiative aims to notify residents and employees who work in the vicinity, enabling them to adjust their daily travel routines during the two months,” he said.
He went on to say that on Aug 17, 2023, MOTS organised a special briefing with Sarawak Metro, industry players and government agencies with offices at the Isthmus, and the relevant enforcement authorities to ensure all stakeholders that proper traffic management will be implemented to ensure smooth traffic movement.
“Later tonight (Aug 21, 2023), the prototype ART 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 via a Mobile Hydrogen Refuelling Station that will be based there.”
Furthermore, Lee noted that the prototype ART H2V unit would be moved to Kota Samarahan for a one-month POC exercise along a section of the Kuching-Samarahan Expressway in November.
He explained that the POC would commence on a 3km permanent dedicated lane built between two roundabouts (roundabout near Heart Centre to 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.”
“For the engineering run and the POC exercise, it will not be open to the public. However, selected stakeholders from the relevant public and private sector organisations will be invited to ride on the prototype ART hydrogen vehicle.
“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.”
Lee further remarked that Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is expected to launch the engineering run and POC exercise early next month, where the Premier will ride the ART on the route at the Isthmus.
The hydrogen-powered ART vehicle prototype unit arrived at Senari Terminal in Kuching on Aug 5, 2023, from Shanghai Port. This prototype was developed by CRRC Zhuzhou Institute Co Ltd. The unit has been fully assembled at Senari Terminal here over a two-week period. — DayakDaily
