A $199.46m loan has been approved by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to support the development of an intelligent transport system in Gui’an, Guizhou Province, China.

The new integrated smart transport system aims to reduce the city’s pollution and traffic congestion while providing improved transport safety.

The project will serve as a pilot for other cities intending to use the system.

ADB East Asia senior transport specialist Susan Lim said: “This project will serve as an example of how the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and other countries can address the downsides of rapid urbanization, such as high CO2 emissions, which have impacts well beyond national boundaries, and traffic jams and road safety, which stop cities from flourishing.

“User needs will be at the heart of the new transport system, ensuring it will cater to all types of travellers, including business people, parents and children, the aged, or the differently abled.”

This urbanisation project will enable Gui’an to establish itself as a low-carbon emissions city.

The intelligent transport system being developed under the project will feature real-time traffic and road-weather monitoring.

It also comprises a multimodal transportation systems management and operations centre, as well as an integrated traffic operations and safety and emergency management system.

The project will finance some sustainable transport infrastructure such as clean energy buses, bus stations and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

According to ADB, the project will be equipped with a human-centred design methodology to ensure that the transport system is accessible for users.

The total project cost is valued at $495.81m, with the Government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) providing $296.35m.

The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025.

Earlier this month, ADB announced that it is set to provide a $415m loan to Georgia for the North-South Corridor as part of a wider government programme that aims to improve the country’s transport network.