On Monday, the UK’s first autonomous bus began road testing in Scotland, with hopes to transport people in months.
According to Scottish media sources, the buses are equipped with sensors that allow them to travel on pre-determined highways without the need for the safety driver to interfere or take control. When fully operational, the buses will be capable of transporting up to 36 passengers 14 miles (22 km) across the bridge, with a weekly capacity of 10,000 passengers.
The autonomous bus service, known as Project CAVForth, will run on the road network from the Ferrytoll Park and Ride facility in Fife to Edinburgh Park, crossing the Forth Road Bridge Public Transport Corridor. The single-deck autonomous buses will travel largely on Transport Scotland-controlled highways and will be expected to safely interact with other vehicles in a real road environment, including navigating intersections and bus stops, as part of the trial project.
Stagecoach is working on the project alongside Fusion Processing, Alexander Dennis, and Transport Scotland, and it has received funding from the UK government’s Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles. Fusion Processing CEO Jim Hutchinson expressed his joy at being in charge of the world’s most difficult and ambitious autonomous car development.
According to him, CAVForth will provide a valuable service to local residents while also serving as a wonderful display of Fusion’s autonomous vehicle technology. The buses include six degrees of driving automation, with zero to two requiring ongoing supervision and driving, and three to five allowing the vehicle to operate independently.
“This is a significant step forward in our drive to completely operate the UK’s first full-sized autonomous bus service, and it will enable convenient access to a brand-new bus route in the heart of Scotland,” said Sam Greet, Stagecoach’s regional director.
