Cost and efficiency factors make ART better than LRT, say experts
Transport consultants Wan Agyl Wan Hassan and Rosli Khan say an ART system equipped with new technology is better for urban centres with high population
Shahrul Shahabudin - 18 May 2024, 09:00 AM

PETALING JAYA: Major cities in Malaysia are better off introducing the autonomous rapid transit (ART) over the light rail transit (LRT) to improve public transportation, experts say.

They cited lower cost and greater efficiency as the main reasons for such a choice.

Transport consultant Wan Agyl Wan Hassan said the ART system, which is not unlike a tram system, can address last-mile connectivity to train stations, especially in Penang, where a new LRT line is set to be built.

The Johor government has opted to introduce the ART system in Johor Bahru, citing its lower cost of RM7 billion compared with RM16.7 billion for an LRT line.

Sarawak also plans to launch a 52km ART route in Kuching in 2026.

The ART system envisaged by Sarawak will see driver-less tram-like coaches powered by hydrogen fuel cells ply the streets of Kuching.

These vehicles will run on dedicated trackless lanes on street level.

The ART system is especially suitable for cities such as Kuala Lumpur and Penang given the high density and traffic congestion in these urban centres, Wan Agyl told FMT.

He said another city that should benefit from an ART system is Kota Kinabalu.

“The Sabah capital is experiencing rapid urban and suburban growth, but the diverse terrain makes the construction of a traditional rail system complicated,” he said.

He said the ART is adaptable enough to navigate these challenges, thus helping to improve accessibility and to reduce traffic bottlenecks.

“The city’s focus on reducing reliance on private vehicles and promoting economic development serves as another case for ART,” he said.

Wan Agyl, a former official of the now-defunct Land Public Transport Commission, said Ipoh would also benefit greatly by integrating an ART system into its existing bus system.

“Such enhanced connectivity will be a boon for the city’s tourism sector,” he said.

Another transport consultant, Rosli Khan, said that apart from the lower infrastructure cost, it would also be easier to integrate the ART into an existing urban environment.

He said in some major cities in Malaysia people rely purely on buses, or taxis when they are desperate, despite their larger population.

“Cities such as Penang, Ipoh, Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya, Melaka and Kuantan in the peninsula as well as Miri in Sarawak and Kota Kinabalu in Sabah will benefit from an ART system,” he told FMT.

However, there are challenges too.

Wan Agyl said the respective authorities must ensure that a comprehensive and critical study is done, taking into account the need for economic and environmental sustainability, before an ART system is introduced.

“Future-proofing infrastructure to accommodate potential demand surges without substantial overhauls, as seen in global examples like Curitiba in Brazil, should be a key consideration,” he said.

Given that any transport system must also align with a city’s economic and environmental sustainability goals, new technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells should be considered to minimise any negative impact, Wan Agyl said.

Rosli said given the various advantages that come with the ART, the respective local governments must also consider factors such as population density and projected ridership.

He added that there must also be adequate stakeholder engagement and sufficient in-depth studies to ensure the project does not fail.

Source: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/...rt-say-experts/