Stagecoach, in partnership with Fusion Processing, Alexander Dennis and Transport Scotland, will conduct road trials of autonomous buses over the next two weeks in preparation for the launch of the CAVForth pilot service in late summer.
The CAVForth pilot project, co-funded by the UK Government’s Center for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV), will see five single-deck autonomous buses operating at SAE level 4 over the Forth Road bridge between Ferrytoll Park and Ride in Fife and Edinburgh. Park Tram and Train Intersection. Buses are equipped with Fusion Processing’s innovative sensor and control technology, CAVstar, which allows them to travel on pre-selected roads without safety drivers having to intervene or take control. The buses will provide a service capable of carrying up to 36 passengers over 14 miles across the bridge, with a capacity of more than 10,000 passengers per week.
The road test in Scotland followed a successful depot test, track test and virtual simulation in which the bus was speed-tuned to perfect the autonomous driving system.
To help support the implementation of Project CAVForth, Transport Scotland recently opened an actively managed shoulder section for all buses on the east line of the M8. This will help reduce travel times and improve travel time reliability for all buses with 24 seats or more on the approach to Edinburgh.
As part of the CAVForth project, some 500 community members have helped implement the new autonomous bus service, providing feedback on what will make them feel comfortable and safe while traveling. Based on the feedback received, the partners have developed a vision for the new autonomous vehicle, including ensuring that future autonomous bus services still have staff members on board.
In another positive step forward in the project, Stagecoach will soon recruit over 20 specially trained ‘autonomous bus professionals’ from across its businesses in Eastern Scotland. When the service goes live, this experienced bus driver will monitor the autonomous system along with the bus “captain” who will move around the waiting area, talking to passengers about the service and answering any questions they may have, demonstrating how it feels. serve. when staff members can exit the cab while the computer is driving.
| UK’s first autonomous bus to cross Scottish roads for CAVForth . project testing |
Sam Greer, Regional Director of Stagecoach in Scotland, said: “Stagecoach is constantly looking for ways to improve the services it offers to customers, including through major investments in new technologies such as the CAVForth pilot programme.
“This is a very exciting project for Scotland and we are delighted to start testing live on the road today. This is a major step forward in our journey to fully launch the UK’s first fully autonomous bus service and will provide easy access to new bus routes in the heart of the east of Scotland.”
Chris Gall, Technical Director of the ADL Group, said: “The start of road testing is a milestone for our autonomous bus project. In partnership with Stagecoach, Fusion Processing and Transport Scotland, Project CAVForth is helping us explore new technologies that will make buses safer and more efficient. When we transition to passenger service at the end of the year, this project will be an important demonstration of tomorrow’s transportation technology.”
Jim Hutchinson, CEO of Fusion Processing Ltd, said: “We are delighted to be leading the world’s most complex and ambitious autonomous vehicle program. CAVForth will provide a useful service to local residents as well as be a great demonstration of Fusion’s automated vehicle technology. The bus is equipped with CAVstar, our automated driving system that combines our own hardware and software to create a safe full size bus that operates at SAE Level 4. The road test is an exciting milestone in the development of autonomous commercial vehicles and We are looking forward to welcoming passengers in a few months.”
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Thus, the first autonomous bus will hit the Scottish roads for testing of the CAVForth . project
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