After a decade of construction and operation, the Kaohsiung Circular Light Rail has achieved remarkable milestones this year. As it approaches its one-year anniversary of full-loop operation, the light rail system has set a new record with over 12 million passenger trips and earned five major awards within the year. With its distinct trains featured prominently in Kaohsiung’s major city marketing events, the Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit Bureau has successfully established the Circular Light Rail as a unique mobile landmark of Kaohsiung, powered by cutting-edge AI smart rail technology.

The Kaohsiung Circular Light Rail system achieved remarkable recognition in 2024, earning five prestigious awards: the 2024 ITS Industry Innovation Award, the 2024 Public Construction Golden Quality Award from the Public Construction Commission of the Executive Yuan, the 2024 Urban Engineering Quality Gold Award from the Kaohsiung Structural Engineers Association, the 2024 Cloud IoT Innovation Award for Excellence in Applications, and the Outstanding Transportation Project Award from the Chinese Institute of Transportation. These accolades establish a new benchmark for excellence in both rail infrastructure engineering and operational services in Taiwan.

The “Integration of 5G Smart Rail Transport with Human-Centered AI Technology Applications” uses the Kaohsiung Light Rail and Kaohsiung MRT as core experimental platforms. It incorporates advanced systems such as 3D digital twin technology, drone inspections, and intersection detection equipment, significantly enhancing the usability, reliability, and maintainability of the mass rapid transit system. This initiative forms a critical foundation for Kaohsiung's progression toward smart rail transport and serves as a valuable model for improving rail operations in other cities and international settings.

The construction of the Kaohsiung Circular Light Rail embodies the concept of sustainable green energy, establishing Taiwan’s first circular light rail system without overhead power lines. This innovative design has transformed the light rail into a distinctive urban mobility landmark for Kaohsiung. During construction, tree preservation and green shading were prioritized, resulting in eco-friendly spaces such as the Totoro Tunnel and Green Giant Tunnel, creating a lush green corridor along the route. The second phase of the project achieved a 68% green coverage rate, seamlessly integrating an elegant skyline with ground-level landscapes. This achievement earned the system the Public Construction Golden Quality Award at the 24th Public Construction Awards from the Executive Yuan Public Construction Commission. Additionally, the newly opened C25 to C29 stations, launched earlier this year, received the 2024 Urban Engineering Quality Gold Award. In December 2024, the “Kaohsiung Circular Light Rail Project – Full Circle in a Decade” was recognized with the 2024 Outstanding Transportation Project Award by the Chinese Institute of Transportation, further solidifying its status as a benchmark in both infrastructure and transportation excellence.

In addition to the impressive achievements in the construction and operation of the Kaohsiung Circular Light Rail, Kaohsiung’s MRT development has also garnered significant recognition. The Kaohsiung MRT Gangshan Lujhu Extension Line (Phase 1) civil engineering turnkey project, overseen by the Mass Rapid Transit Bureau, was honored with the 2024 Urban Engineering Quality Gold Award, affirming its exceptional quality. This dual golden recognition highlights Kaohsiung’s outstanding accomplishments in both light rail and MRT development, attesting to the city’s stellar reputation in urban engineering.

Director-General Wu Jia-chang of the Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit Bureau expressed gratitude for the widespread recognition of the Kaohsiung Circular Light Rail system and MRT projects in terms of both engineering quality and operational services. He emphasized that the Bureau will continue to integrate more elements that balance service excellence and operational safety, aiming to create a light rail and MRT system that delivers human-centered and high-quality transportation services for all passengers.