The UK transport operator Stagecoach, in partnership with Fusion Processing, Alexander Dennis and Transport Scotland, has revealed the first glimpse of the new special livery for the autonomous bus project, CAVForth. The service launches in Scotland in 2022.
The new service will be made up of four single-decker buses running a 14-mile route, including crossing the iconic Forth Road Bridge.
It will provide capacity for up to 10,000 passengers a week, and is expected to be popular with commuters, students, day-tripper, tourists and novelty riders.
The four buses, which will feature the special new livery, are currently being fitted out with sensor and control technology, developed and supplied by project lead, Fusion Processing Ltd, that allows them to become computer-driven.
The vehicles are also being put through their paces with an array of virtual and track testing to ensure all systems are functioning as expected before on-road testing begins later this year.
Sam Greer, Regional Director for Stagecoach in Scotland says: “We are all very excited to be marking the next major milestone in our autonomous bus project, with buses planned to be on the road in early summer next year. The new service will provide a bus link between Fife and Edinburgh Park which currently does not exist and we hope will encourage more people to ditch the car, skip traffic jams and enjoy a relaxed journey in a dedicated bus lane and with new innovative state of the art technology.”
Jim Hutchinson, Fusion Processing Ltd CEO, adds: “We are delighted to be leading on the world’s most complex and ambitious autonomous vehicle programme. CAVForth is an exciting pilot service and a great demonstration of our automated vehicle technology. The vehicles are fitted with CAVstar, our automated driving system which combines our own hardware and software to create, safe, AV Level 4 full sized buses. The buses will be operating on a 28 mile round trip route that includes motorways, single carriageway A-roads, minor roads, bus lanes, roundabouts and junctions with and without traffic lights. We believe it will be the most comprehensive Autonomous bus demonstration to date. ”
Paul Davies, ADL President & Managing Director, comments: “As the UK bus industry’s innovation leader, we are constantly exploring new ways to further increase efficiency and safety. The trial of the UK’s first full-sized autonomous bus service gives us an outstanding opportunity to gain real-world experience. We are also working closely with our colleagues across NFI Group who are developing similar, promising projects.”
Stagecoach is one of Britain’s leading public transport businesses, helping connect communities for 40 years.
It has a team of 24,000 people and runs 8,300 buses, coaches and trams in the UK.
Keyword: First Glimpse of UK’s First Level-4 Autonomous Bus Service, CAVForth