At a recent "5G smart transit open day" held in Xiamen, a bus driver drives a 5G-based BRT bus and a computer on his right hand displays relevant traffic data. [Photo/xmnn.cn]

Xiamen in East China's Fujian province is expected to put 50 5G-based Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses into operation in 2019, according to the Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Transport.

At a recent activity entitled "5G smart transport open day", the first 5G-based BRT bus station in China was opened in Xiamen.

Passengers at the BRT station can get real-time updates on traffic conditions after wearing a virtual reality helmet while on the bus, they can look at the route map, analytical curves, and other information via two liquid crystal displays.

While driving in the BRT lane, the bus driver just needs to hold the steering wheel in place; no need to step on the brake or accelerator because the 5G-assisted vehicle is able to brake automatically if encountering obstacles.

At present, the BRT bus features various functions, including beyond visual range anti-collision, real-time vehicle-infrastructure cooperation, and safe and accurate automatic parking.

The smart-assisted driving systems applied to the bus can take control of the vehicle if its driver is unresponsive or incapacitated, offering passengers increased safety.

Xiamen's unique BRT bus lane boasts exclusive right of way and offers a traffic system which is ideal for testing out the new technology, said Shi Qiang, deputy director of the Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Transport.

According to a staff member from the local bureau, when 5G technology matures, it will be applied to the bus transit lane.

He added that bus transit lanes are a more complicated than BRT systems because they involve various vehicles and pedestrians.