Scots firm to trial the UK’S first full-size driverless bus – but only in the depot
Scottish bus company Stagecoach has revealed plans to trial the UK’S first driverless bus later this year.
The vehicle, which is being created by a bus manufacturer south of the Border, will initially be used without passengers, due to existing legal restrictions – but the firm said it hoped that the technology would be used more widely.
The Perth-based company, run by Scots entepreneur Brian Souter, has joined bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) and technology company Fusion Processing to create what it says is the first full-size driverless bus to be used in Britain.
The transport operator said sensors in place to enable driverless journeys also help improve safety when a driver is behind the wheel, by warning of cyclists of pedestrians in blind spots or unexpectedly close to the bus.
The system uses several sensors – including radar, laser, camera and ultrasound – along with satellite navigation to detect and avoid objects and plan routes.
Sam Greer, Stagecoach UK bus engineering director, said: “Stagecoach has long been at the heart of innovation within the bus industry and this is an exciting trial that will deliver the UK’S first fully autonomous single deck bus.
“We look forward to working with our partners on this project which we believe could, in time, help improve safety and efficiency within our depots, and over the longer term, help transform bus travel in the future.”
The bus, which the firm said would initially be used only within the depot environment, to carry out movements such as parking and moving into the fuelling station and bus wash, is being built at ADL’S site in Surrey, and is expected to be in use later this year. Stagecoach said that using self-driving vehicles within depots more widely could help improve safety, efficiency and space utilisation within the depot.
Ken Scott, group engineering director at ADL, said: “ADL is renowned for harnessing the latest technology solutions to enhance our products and services to benefit our customers, their passengers and the wider environment. We’re excited to be working with Stagecoach and Fusion Processing on this innovative project. In the first instance it will deliver real and demonstrable improvement to efficiency and safety in depots, while taking another significant step on our journey to bringing fully autonomous vehicles to market.”
In April, a driverless transporttrialstartedingreenwich, south-east London, using driverless pods. It is believed that the same technology used on the pods is to be fitted to a fullsize Stagecoach bus by ADL.
Earlier this year, the Scottish Government revealed plans to trial driverless vehicles on roads north of the Border.
Large driverless buses have already been used on busy city roads in Shenzhen, China, while passengers have been transported in trials using small driverless vehicles in France. Trials elsewhere have included Volvo in Sweden using lorries travelling close together in “platoons” controlled from the lead vehicle. The UK government plans a similar exercise on motorways.
A new report by a connectivity commission appointed by business group Scottish Council for Development and Industry said driverless vehicles could cut crashes and make travel easier for those who couldn’t drive.
However, the Scotland’s Big Mo [mobility] study also warned they might encourage more trips by car rather than on foot or by bike.