Pingtan, the closest area on the Chinese mainland to Taiwan Island and a key hub for cross-Straits exchange, has achieved a milestone in smart transportation with its autonomous shuttle bus system, the Pingtan Times reported on January 19. As an international tourism island, Pingtan is also pioneering an integrated "transportation + tourism" model.

Since last September, three shuttle routes have operated smoothly. Among them, the Tannan Bay-Longwangtou line, linking two coastal scenic spots, has become a hit with tourists. "The ride is so seamless—you hardly notice when it starts and stops. The shuttle slows down for pedestrians," said tourist Li Meiyi. Tourist Lin Yizhi added, "The shuttle's stability and safety performance surpassed my expectations."

The shuttles' reliable performance is enabled by a comprehensive vehicle-road-cloud integration system. Each bus is equipped with LiDAR, millimeter-wave radar, and cameras for full 360-degree view of the environment. Supported by smart roadside infrastructure, the vehicles can operate autonomously on public roads. All units underwent rigorous testing, completing over 240 hours or 1,000 kilometers of trials and currently operate with safety attendants on board.

"The routes target diverse needs—tourism, commuting, and leisure," explained He Nanxin, a manager of the project. Zeng Huazhen, engineering supervisor at Pingtan Culture and Tourism Group, confirmed that the project, a key initiative for 2025, has met all pilot requirements set by the Ministry of Transport. Pingtan plans to expand its smart transport network further.