Proof-of-concept exercise for ART prototype at Kuching-Samarahan Expressway starts today

KUCHING (Nov 20): The Proof-of-Concept (POC) exercise for the prototype Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) hydrogen vehicle at Kuching-Samarahan Expressway has officially commenced effective today.

Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd, in an announcement on its Facebook page, advised road users to take extra care while travelling near the POC route, particularly between the Sarawak Heart Centre Roundabout and Industrial Training Institute (ILP) Roundabout

It also attached a notice for the traffic flow and location of flagmen throughout the POC period.

According to the notice, the POC exercise at Kuching-Samarahan Expressway are being carried out from 5am to 8pm on Nov 20 (today) until Dec 15.

“Further changes on dates, time or locations related to the Prototype ART Hydrogen Vehicle POC Exercise will be informed by Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd.

“The cooperation of road users in ensuring the smooth and safe movement of vehicles on the expressway is highly appreciated,” it said.

The prototype ART vehicle had arrived at La Promenade Mall Samarahan in the wee hours of last Saturday.

It had undergone it first engineering run and POC exercise at Kuch­ing Isthmus in September and October.

At the Kuch­ing-Samarahan Expressway, the POC exercise is being carried out on a section of the Blue Line’s dedicated lane that was recently constructed between the roundabout near Sarawak Heart Centre and the roundabout near ILP Kota Samarahan.

Southeast Asia’s first Transit Signal Priority (TSP) system is now in operation along the Kuching-Samarahan Expressway between these two roundabouts.

The system, developed by a Sarawakian company, is meant to regulate traffic along the expressway which will soon have an ART system plying it.