The UK’s first full-sized autonomous bus will take to the roads of Scotland for the first time this week as live testing begins for project CAVForth.
Stagecoach, in partnership with Fusion Processing, Alexander Dennis and Transport Scotland, will carry out on-road testing of the autonomous bus over the next two weeks in preparation for the launch of the CAVForth pilot service in late summer.
The CAVForth pilot, which is jointly funded by the UK government’s Centre 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 the Edinburgh Park Train and Tram interchange. The on-road testing follows successful depot-based trials, track testing and virtual simulation.
The buses are fitted with Fusion Processing’s sensor and control technology, CAVstar, which enables them to run on pre-selected roads without the safety driver having to intervene or take control. The buses will provide a service capable of carrying up to 36 passengers over the 14 miles across the bridge, with capacity for over 10,000 passengers a week.
To help support the delivery of CAVForth, Transport Scotland recently opened a section of actively managed hard shoulder for all buses on the M8 eastbound designed to help reduce journey times and improve journey time reliability for all buses of 24 seats or more on approach to Edinburgh.
As part of the project, around 500 members of the public have helped with the implementation of the new autonomous bus service on it, providing feedback on what would make them feel comfortable and confident in travelling. This includes making sure future autonomous bus services still have a member of staff on board.
Furthermore, over 20 specially trained ‘autonomous bus professionals’ will soon be recruited by Stagecoach from across its East Scotland business. When the service goes live, these drivers will monitor the autonomous system alongside a bus ‘captain’ who will move around the saloon, talking to passengers about the service and answering any questions they may have, demonstrating what a future service might feel like when the staff member is able to leave the cab while the computer does the driving.
Sam Greer, regional director for Stagecoach in Scotland, said: “Stagecoach is continuing to look for ways to improve the service it offers to customers, including through major investment in new technology, such as the CAVForth pilot.
“This is a hugely exciting project for Scotland and we are pleased to be starting live testing on roads today. This is a major step forward in our journey to fully launch the UK’s first full-sized autonomous bus service and will provide easy access to a brand-new bus route in the heart of East Scotland.”
