Transport

The DRT or Digital-rail Rapid Transit Vehicle

The DRT or “trackless tram” as it has become known, is a new type of low impact, intelligent medium volume mass transit vehicle, utilising digital magnetic markers or “nails” to guide a vehicle around a virtual track, replacing traditional “iron in the road” rail and overhead catenary wires.

Magnetic tags or “nails”, embedded about one metre apart along a specified route, can guide the rubber-tyred vehicles (like trams) around a virtual track. Construction is relatively quick, with minimal impact on communities. It is also very cost effective when compared with light rail, as no utilities are encountered during construction. Importantly, the ultimate ride quality is like a light rail vehicle – a major attractor to travellers.

The vehicles have been manufactured by CRRC – the world’s largest rolling stock manufacturer, with the guidance system developed by Shanghai Electric, which has commercialised technology previously developed by the PATH Program at the University of California, Berkeley (United States).

Key Facts and Figures

– Length – 30.5 metres
– Width – 2.5 metres
– Height – 3.6 metres
– Entrance Height – 330mm
– Low Floor Height – 350mm
– Door – Unilateral 1 pair, opening degree 1.6 metres
– Axles = 8 for a three-carriage vehicle
– Axle Load: 7 tonnes
– Max. Safe Operating Speed: 70km/hr
– Number of seats: 56
– Maximum Passenger Capacity (8 people/sq m): 280
– Hybrid-Hydrogen Powered Vehicle capability
– Bi-directional.

Advantages of the DRT

Construction: Utilising an existing road network, a service can be realised with relatively low cost, low
impact during construction and a long vehicle life cycle. Vehicles can be assembled in Australia or fully
imported
Efficiency: With the use of a dedicated lane (ideally), we can set the tidal function, providing convenient and attractive public transport, while efficiently moving large volumes of passengers with less dwell time at stops. The vehicle can also move in traffic, if required
Zero emissions: Our zero emission DRT vehicles can be powered using a hybrid-hydrogen power source or on-board super capacitor battery, with recharging at station platforms, if required
Precision: The DRT can deliver high-precision positioning and guidance, to a centimetre-level control trajectory, along with centimetre-level vehicle real-time positioning, maximizing the utilisation of road resources and assisting with passenger egress
Value Capture: As a medium volume public transport option, this technology has the capability to attract commercial and residential commuters. Platforms and stations are architecturally designed so as to enhance local communities.
An exhibition of this technology, under the auspices of the Sustainable Built Environment National Research Centre and Curtin University, was successfully conducted in November 2023 in the City of Stirling, Perth, WA. This demonstration along with an associated symposium saw the City of Stirling with a National Award for Local Government in 2024.

The DRT has been successfully operating for the past three years in the Chinese City of Lingang, Shanghai, with several hundred thousand passengers already using the service. It is now also being trialled in Monterey, Mexico.