Automatic Shuttle Buses - From the Test Track to Scheduled Services
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IN THE SP OTLIGHT
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Automatic Shuttle Buses – From the Test Track to Scheduled Services
All over the world driverless electric shuttle buses are undergoing comprehensive field testing. In a variety of different projects, the vehicles are operating in test mode or as demonstrators and sometimes even traveling on public roads. The objectives and aims of the individual initiatives often vary significantly and range from research into control algorithms for automated driving to investigations of the vehicles’ suitability for use in scheduled services. ATZ worldwide 11|2020
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IN THE SP OTLIGHT
1
Autonomous bus
1
Camera technology detects the vehicle on the route and controls the variable traffic signs
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Variable traffic signs reduce speed for all road users
3
Automated route Shuttle follows pre-programmed route via GPS A and localization laser B
4
Obstacle detection Obstacles are detected in time by safety laser C
5
Multiple redundant braking systems for maximum safety
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Bad Birnbach
Autonomous bus
A
30
B
C C
5 5
3
C
4
C
6
passengers per vehicle
Steward
always on board
2
vehicles provide connection to the train station
15 km/h
maximum speed
Wi-Fi access in the vehicle
2040 m
single track length
Ramp
provides step-free access
© Deutsche Bahn
Facts and figures
The concept of the Deutsche Bahn for test operation in Bad Birnbach (Germany) includes transportation to the train station by autonomous shuttles
URBANIZATION SETS THE PACE
There is a growing urbanization trend throughout the world and, according to projections by the United Nations, by 2050 more than 68 % of the world’s population will be living in urban areas [1]. By comparison, the figure in 1950 was only 30 %. In line with this development, the number of city dwellers worldwide has grown rapidly from 751 million in 1950 to 4.2 billion in 2018 – by 2050 an additional 2.5 billion people will be living in cities. One consequence of this development is that the number of megacities with more than 10 million inhabitants is increasing. As recently as 1970, there were only three: New York, Tokyo and Shanghai. Now there are well over 20. By 2030 the world is likely to be home to more than 40 of these metropolises, most of them in countries with emerging economies, with China leading the way. As a result, we need to rethink the way we transport passengers and goods in
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order to ensure that the massive increase in demand for mobility in the future does not lead to permanent traffic congestion and cause an environmental disaster. One aspect of this change of approach is the development of driverless electric shuttle buses all over the world with the aim of meeting local public transport needs in the years to come. These shuttles will be able to transport people quickly and conveniently in the future, while operating extremely efficiently and with a low environmental impact [2]. The transport concepts require automatic driving on SAE level 4 (highly automated) or 5 (fully automated). CHINA APPLIES THE PRESSURE
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