The AIIB team with an autonomous driving car in Beijing E-Town [Photo by Zheng Lihua]

A research team from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has visited Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (Beijing E-Town) to learn more about the construction of road transportation infrastructure.

The delegation, consisting of 20 representatives from countries including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, India, Laos, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, also explored the innovative operation center of a high-level autonomous driving demonstration zone in Beijing.

In September 2020, Beijing took the lead in planning and constructing China’s first high-level autonomous driving demonstration zone in E-Town, initiating the construction of intelligent connected standard road intersections, supporting not only the implementation of vehicle-road-cloud integrated system (VRCIS) but also various urban management operations such as traffic law enforcement, public security monitoring and signal control optimization.

Through close observation, real-time demonstrations, video introductions and explanations by E-Town staff, the AIIB team gained an in-depth understanding of the innovative practices behind empowering smart transportation.

The team also boarded unmanned shuttle buses and intelligent connected buses to travel the roads of E-Town, experiencing firsthand the convenience brought by VRCIS services.

The AIIB is committed to promoting the connectivity and economic integration process in the Asian region, strengthening cooperation among China and other Asian countries and regions. This visit provides a cutting-edge "practice sample" in the fields of autonomous driving and intelligent transportation for AIIB's clients from multiple countries, expanding the international influence of the VRCIS "Chinese solution" and the "E-Town practice." It will also further promote technical exchanges and international cooperation in the industry.