Driverless buses set to cross Forth Road Bridge
FOR generations, bus passengers have politely thanked the driver as they arrived at their stop.
Now transport chiefs have taken the first steps towards making bus drivers obsolete, unveiling plans to trial the world’s first self-driving public transport service in Scotland.
Next year, five autonomous singledeck vehicles will carry passengers across the Forth Road Bridge.
The trial will involve up to 42 passengers at a time being taken between the Ferrytoll park and ride facility in Fife and the Edinburgh Park train and tram interchange.
With buses every 20 minutes, this could provide an estimated 10,000 weekly driverless journeys during the trial period next year.
Although the buses will drive themselves along the route, a driver will be on board at all times in case of emergency.
The project is being funded partly by a £4.35million grant from the UK Government, along with investment from bus company Stagecoach and other organisations.
A joint statement issued by Stagecoach, manufacturer ADL, technology company Fusion Processing and mobility firm ESP, said: ‘We are excited to further test the potential for autonomous technology in the future within public transport using full-size single deck buses, which so far has not been achieved anywhere else in the world. Drivers will still be required for passenger safety and to comply with UK legislation.’
Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said: ‘The deployment of these vehicles in Scotland will bring transformative change to the way we travel and work, as well as having a positive impact on the economy, the environment and safety.
‘This collaborative trial shows Scotland is very much open for business in this innovative sector.’
Stagecoach, ADL and Fusion Processing announced earlier this year that work was under way to trial the first full-sized autonomous vehicle within a Stagecoach depot.
The single-decker bus, named the Enviro200, is being built at ADL’s site in Guildford, Surrey.
The transport operator said sensors to enable driverless journeys also help improve safety when a driver is at the wheel, by warning of cyclists or pedestrians in blind spots or unexpectedly close to the bus.
UK Business Secretary Greg Clark said: ‘Autonomous vehicles and their technology will not only revolutionise how we travel, it will open up and improve transport services for those who struggle to access both private and public transport.’
‘Revolutionise how we travel’