Chongqing - The world’s first autonomous cross-seat monorail, designed for airport rapid transit, has rolled off the production line at Chongqing CRRC Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd. (Chongqing CRRC) and is set to begin operations at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport in 2025.

The world's first autonomous cross-seat monorail vehicle has rolled off the production line at Chongqing CRRC. (Photo/Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport)

The new monorail system will revolutionize passenger transport between the T3A and T3B terminals. It will feature 16 vehicles, each 16 meters long and capable of speeds up to 80 km/h. The flexible design allows for groups of one to four vehicles, ensuring smooth service during peak times.

Leveraging Chongqing's fully developed local monorail industry chain, the vehicles incorporate cutting-edge technologies such as autonomous operation, flight linkage, and energy storage and power supply, enhancing the airport's rapid transit system.

"The vehicle is designed with the highest level of automation (GOA4 level) and features an independent power unit for each vehicle. The fully automated coupling mechanism and Ethernet technology allow the system to manage vehicle operations dynamically. The integration of flight, station, and vehicle tripartite linkage technology enables automatic vehicle allocation based on real-time passenger flow from incoming flights," said Wang Shun, director of R&D and Design Department of Chongqing CRRC.

The interior of the autonomous cross-seat monorail vehicle. (Photo/Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport)

"Previously, cross-seat monorail vehicles have been used in rail, tourism, and park transport systems, but this marks the world's first application of such vehicles in an airport passenger rapid transit system," Wang added.

Additionally, the new monorail vehicles prioritize green transportation. They are equipped with supercapacitors, which replace the traditional overhead contact systems by utilizing onboard energy storage to power the vehicles. The supercapacitors also capture braking energy, greatly enhancing energy recovery efficiency.

The OLED screen of the autonomous cross-seat monorail vehicle. (Photo/Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport)

For customized passenger services, the vehicles are designed to address the unique needs of airport travelers, such as large luggage and short boarding intervals. Each vehicle is equipped with nine fixed seats and two foldable seats at the passenger end, while three wide doors (1.4 meters in effective width) on both sides ensure smooth passenger flow.

The interior design features creative elements inspired by Chongqing’s landscape. The ceiling reflects the convergence of the city's two rivers, using colors that evoke its green mountains and clear waters. The hanging rings, inspired by twisted silk patterns in jade ornaments, feature intricate textures and a crystal-clear finish, adding a refined touch to the design.

The hanging rings of the autonomous cross-seat monorail vehicle. (Photo/Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport)

Wang further noted that these vehicles fill a technological gap in domestic applications and have broad market potential. They could be widely adopted for passenger transport lines at major domestic airports and low-to-medium capacity rail transit lines, helping to drive the development of Chongqing's cross-seat monorail industry.