EART - Bringing Back Trams With a Modern Twist

6 min read

Electric Autonomous Rapid Transit (EART) is a revolutionary mode of public transportation that combines the benefits of electric vehicles and autonomous driving technology to provide safe, efficient, and eco-friendly transportation solutions. This innovative technology is intended to revolutionise the way people move around cities, making transportation more accessible and sustainable, and helping cities decarbonise by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting the use of clean energy. It can simply be described as a mixture between a tram and a bus. It operates like a bus by using normal rubber wheels and driving on specially designated lanes on tar roads but fulfils the purpose of a tram by transporting roughly the same amount of people and taking similar routes. 

The cities that are looking at EART as an option are either looking at decarbonising, reducing traffic, or both.

EART vehicles are equipped with sensors, cameras, and other advanced technologies that enable them to navigate and operate on their own, without the need for a human driver. Although there is a single seat at the front of the vehicle for a manned operator to take control if needed. These vehicles are powered by electricity, making them much more environmentally friendly than traditional diesel-powered buses and trams.

One of the main cases for EART is its ability to provide reliable and efficient transportation services. Because these vehicles are autonomous, they can run on a predetermined route and schedule, without being affected by factors such as driver fatigue. This means that passengers can expect to arrive at their destination on time, every time, without having to worry about delays or cancellations.

Another case for EART is its potential to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality in cities. Because these vehicles are electric, they produce no emissions, which helps to reduce air pollution and improve the overall health of city residents. Additionally, by providing a reliable and efficient transportation option, EART systems can help to reduce the number of cars on the road, which can help to reduce traffic congestion. 

EART systems are also much safer than traditional buses and trams, as they are equipped with advanced safety features such as collision avoidance systems and automatic emergency braking. Because these vehicles are autonomous, they are not susceptible to human error, which is one of the leading causes of accidents on the road.

In addition to its safety benefits, EART has the potential to provide a more accessible and convenient transportation option for people with disabilities. Because these vehicles are autonomous, they can be designed to provide easy access for wheelchair users, as well as other accessibility features such as audio announcements and visual displays.

Although EART systems are still in the early stages of development, they have already been implemented in a number of cities around the world, including Shanghai, China and Lausanne, Switzerland. These are simply pilot programs, and therefore cannot provide an exact account for/against this technology. Even if there was enough data collected, I’m sure it would be pointless to analyse because these vehicles are probably being tested in heavily controlled environments where there is minimal engagement with regular traffic, and are most likely controlled by humans most of the time. 

Nonetheless, here are some of the pros of EART:

1. Reduced Emissions: EART vehicles are powered by electricity and produce zero emissions, making them an ideal transportation option for cities looking to reduce their carbon footprint, as opposed to traditional buses and trams that run on diesel.
2. Increased Energy Efficiency: EART vehicles are highly energy-efficient, which means that they can move more people using less energy than traditional buses and trams. This reduces emissions and lowers operating costs, which could make EART an economically viable option for public transportation.
3. Reduced Traffic Congestion: EART systems can help to reduce traffic congestion. This will encourage people to use public transportation instead of their cars, in turn reducing traffic even more.
4. Reduced Need for Car Ownership: because of this, less need for parking space and road infrastructure, which can be expensive to build and maintain.
5. Promoting Renewable Energy: EART systems rely on electricity to power their vehicles, which will ideally come from renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. By investing in renewable energy, cities aim to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and promote a cleaner, more sustainable future. Bonus points!
6. Increased Access to Public Transportation: EART systems can be designed to provide easy access for people with disabilities, the elderly, and others who may face challenges using traditional public transportation. 

These are the places where EART is currently being used.

1. Sion, Switzerland: In the city of Sion, a pilot project is being carried out to test electric autonomous shuttles that can carry up to 11 passengers. The shuttles operate on a dedicated route and are equipped with sensors and cameras to detect obstacles and pedestrians.
2. Zhengzhou, China: The city of Zhengzhou is testing an EART system that consists of electric buses that run on dedicated lanes. The buses are equipped with sensors and cameras and are capable of operating without a driver.
3. Toulouse, France: The French city of Toulouse is testing a fleet of electric autonomous shuttles that can carry up to 15 passengers. The shuttles operate on a dedicated route and are equipped with sensors and cameras to detect obstacles and pedestrians.
4. Malaga, Spain: The Spanish city of Malaga has launched a pilot project to test electric autonomous buses that can carry up to 12 passengers. The buses operate on a dedicated route and are equipped with sensors and cameras to detect obstacles and pedestrians.
5. Berlin, Germany: The German capital is testing an EART system that consists of electric autonomous shuttles that can carry up to six passengers. The shuttles operate on a dedicated route and are equipped with sensors and cameras to detect obstacles and pedestrians.

So can EART work in South Africa?

Quite frankly, this technology only has potential in cities with very good infrastructure. Smooth roads are needed for the vehicles to move comfortably, because autonomous vehicle technology cannot account for bumpy and uneven pothole ridden roads that feel like they were put together by a group of blindfolded 5-year-olds. Now that I’ve gotten that off my chest, city centres of the big metros in South Africa could benefit from this technology. But the scale of use will likely be small.

One of the primary challenges is the lack of infrastructure and investment in electric vehicles and autonomous driving technology. While a handful of cities and entities in South Africa have started to invest in electric buses, I think it will be AT LEAST 15 years before the necessary infrastructure and technologies are in place for a fully autonomous EART system. Not to mention the lack of charging infrastructure and the ever-present electricity problem that this country has (blerrie Eskom).

Another challenge is the cost of implementing EART. Like most other revolutionary technologies, EART systems are cost-effective in the long term, but require a huge initial investment to purchase and install the necessary infrastructure and vehicles. It may be difficult for some cities in South Africa to justify the expense, given competing demands for limited resources.

Additionally, the climate and terrain in South Africa may present challenges for EART systems. For example, extreme temperatures and weather conditions such as floods can impact the performance of electric vehicles, and the mountainous terrain in some regions may require more powerful vehicles than are currently available.

Even if all of these challenges were hurdled over, there still remains the risk of provoking the construction mafia or the taxi industry (ai…). 

South Africa is currently in the process of transitioning to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy, but I doubt EART will be a valuable part of this transition. The government has set targets for reducing emissions and increasing the use of electric vehicles, which could probably work against EART systems given the massive car culture this country has.

I honestly think that South Africa doesn’t have a strong case for pursuing this technology. Pouring money into EART would be more of a risk than an investment. Besides, South Africans are not in the mood for another multi-billion Rand money wasting project like giant flags and Tottenham Hotspur sponsorships.

What do you think of EART? Where do you think it will be in the next 10 years? Share your thoughts by replying to this email!

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