KUCHING, Nov 1: The two-month engineering run for the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) has fulfilled its objective of gathering the necessary data for the prototype zero-emission vehicle.
According to a press release issued today, the focus of the engineering run, which was conducted at the Isthmus in September and October, was to gather technical data with emphasis on the ART vehicle’s movement guidance system and the hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system.
“The data will serve as essential input for the ongoing design phase of the ART vehicle before it enters into the mass production stage.
“The engineering run, which was launched by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg on Sept 6, covered more than 5,400km.
“The engineering run will continue until early November before proceeding with Stage 2 of the proof-of-concept (POC) exercise,” read the press release.
During the engineering run, more than 80 groups of federal and State government agencies and various stakeholders from the private sector and non-governmental organisations were given the opportunity to take test rides on the prototype ART vehicle.
“As for the POC exercise, it will be conducted on a 3-kilometre stretch of the dedicated lane built between two roundabouts along the Kuching-Samarahan Expressway.
“This stretch will form a section of what will become the permanent ART dedicated double lane built for the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project’s Blue Line.”
Meanwhile, on Tuesday (Oct 31), Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin visited the construction site of the ART dedicated lane to get the latest updates on the work progress as well as preparations for the POC exercise, which is scheduled to be held sometime in November.
“Briefing the Minister during the visit were chief executive officer of Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd (Sarawak Metro) Mazli Mustaffa and representatives from Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak as well as the contractor.
“Also present were General Manager of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) Datu Abdul Hadi Datuk Abdul Kadir and the senior management of Sarawak Metro.”
The press release further noted that on the development of the site for the POC exercise, as of October, the physical progress of infrastructure works was approximately 78 per cent completed.
“It is anticipated that the dedicated lane will be substantially completed by mid-November, after which preparations for the POC exercise site will begin with the road marking works and calibration works for the ART.
“This POC exercise will evaluate the feasibility of the prototype unit for the final design of the ART vehicle and the fact that it will be carried out on the actual alignment.
“Similar to the engineering run, the POC exercise will not be open to the public, although relevant stakeholders will be invited to take test rides on the prototype ART vehicle during the POC exercise period.”
Additionally, it highlighted that the ART is the backbone of the KUTS project, which aims to modernise public transportation and ease traffic congestion in Greater Kuching.
“The KUTS project, which is under the purview of the Ministry of Transport Sarawak, will be implemented, operated and maintained by Sarawak Metro, a wholly owned subsidiary of SEDC.
“Covering a total distance of 70 kilometres, Phase 1 of the KUTS project involves the development of the Blue Line, Red Line and Green Line, which are scheduled to begin passenger service in stages, starting from the fourth quarter of 2025.
“Under Phase 1 of the KUTS project, the Blue Line will be from Rembus in Kota Samarahan to Hikmah Exchange in the city centre; the Red Line, from Kuching Sentral to Pending; and the Green Line, from Pending to Damai.” — DayakDaily
