Being controlled remotely, the ART is essentially a driverless tram that runs on “virtual rails” mapped out by cameras and sensors.

The Yibin ART T1 line is expected to serve more than 10,000 passengers daily.

Once the line is extended to a high-speed railway station, the number of passengers is predicted to increase up to 25,000 per day.

China started developing ART in 2013 as a way to ease hellish congestion in the country’s crowded urban centres.

No permanent track enables the ART to have a flexible operation according to traffic conditions.

Equipped with a smart energy management system and rubber tyres to minimise noise, the ART also offers a cheaper alternative to metros or trams while also being more environmentally-friendly.