An intelligent track vehicle developed by CRRC Zhuzhou Institute Co commenced trial operations in Songbei New Zone, Harbin on Feb 24, after finishing a one-month test evaluating its suitability for operating in extreme cold.

The new intelligent track vehicle runs on electricity and follows a virtual track painted on the road, combining the set-route advantages of trams and flexible deployment of buses.

The vehicle is designed for a maximum speed of 70 kilometers per hour, with a minimum turning radius of 15 meters.

The trial route is 5.3 kilometers long. A total of six stations are set up along the route, including Shimao Lanyu Station, Wandamao Station, Yongyuan Street Station, Jinse Jiangwan Station and Beian Mingzhu Station.

The vehicle will operate four times a day at 9 am, 10:30 am, 2:30 pm and 4 pm at a test speed of 30 km/h during a 10-day trial period; Harbin residents are encouraged to sample the free service by getting on at any of the six stations. A single journey between the two terminals will take about 40 minutes.

An intelligent track vehicle runs on the street of Songbei New Zone, Harbin, on Feb 24. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

Inside view of an intelligent track vehicle [Photo/Chinanews.com]

Harbin residents wait in line to get on an intelligent track vehicle at Shimao Lanyu Station in Songbei New Zone, Harbin, on Feb 24. [Photo/Chinanews.com]