One area has made transportation history with the launch of the UK’s inaugural self-driving bus service.
These self-driving buses are expected to transport approximately 10,000 passengers each week and will cover a distance of 14 miles, reaching speeds of up to 50 mph.
Commuters in Scotland will be able to embark the buses on a journey across the renowned road bridge spanning the Firth of Forth, as five full-size Alexander Dennis Enviro200AV buses employ the cutting-edge autonomous driving technology, operating between the Ferrytoll Park and Ride in Fife and the Edinburgh Park Transport interchange. However, passengers need not relinquish all control to technology.
While a human driver will remain in the driver’s seat to oversee the bus’s operations and intervene if necessary, there will also be a second crew member, known as the “captain,” stationed in the passenger area.
This individual will be responsible for ticket verification and customer assistance. Stagecoach, the bus operator, describes the presence of the second crew member as an illustration of what future bus travel may resemble, where one staff member can step away from the cab while the computer handles driving duties, engaging with passengers akin to a traditional conductor.
Dubbed CAVForth, the pioneering project has secured funding until 2025 and as the initiative progresses, plans are underway to expand the self-driving bus route northwards to Dunfermline City bus station next year.
CAVForth is a collaborative effort involving various stakeholders, including Stagecoach, Alexander Dennis, Fusion Processing, Transport Scotland, Edinburgh Napier University, Bristol Robotics Lab and the University of the West of England.
The consortium proudly asserts that this is the world’s first fully operational, registered autonomous bus service of its kind.
[Image via CAVForth / Stagecoach]