Shanghai launches smart vehicles to facilitate traffic at upcoming import expo

Shanghai, scheduled to host the first-ever China International Import Expo (CIIE) on Nov. 5-10, will use 350 new energy taxi cabs and 440 buses linked with intelligent networks to serve the event.

The expo will see the participation of more than 2,800 companies from 130 countries and regions, and 160,000 buyers from over 80,000 domestic and foreign companies.

The Shanghai municipal commission of transport said on Thursday that it has launched an app to facilitate visitors' travel during the expo.

The app can guide passengers to the nearest metro, bus stations, and taxi stands and update information on the visitor flow around the exhibition area and traffic blockades.

According to the commission, the new energy taxi cabs have recording and monitoring functions to ensure the cab drivers' service. The cars will also use facial recognition technology to distinguish drivers.

The electric buses can run 300 km on a single charge, which will be used to cope with the massive flow of visitors in major streets of the exhibition area.

With a population of around 24 million, Shanghai is China's industrial and commercial hub. The city's port has handled the most containers worldwide for seven consecutive years.

To prepare for the expo, Shanghai Customs has opened 38 VIP lanes for foreign participants of the event and 92 import goods examination channels for faster customs clearance of the exhibits.

The expo's reception service center has been put into use at the Hongqiao International Airport, providing accommodation guides to foreign visitors.