The UK's first fully-sized autonomous bus is set for road tests for the first time, with a project CAVforth vehicle set to hit the roads of Scotland over the coming weeks.
Stagecoach project CAVForth autonomous bus. Credit: Alexander Dennis
Credit: Alexander Dennis
Developed by Stagecoach in collaboration with Fusion Processing, bus builder Alexander Dennis and Transport Scotland, the first trials will test the waters for driverless public transport in the country, with plans to introduce a fleet of 20 in trials during the summer.
Read more: Are British roads capable of catering to autonomous vehicles?
The bus's journey will take place on the 22.5 km (14-mile) stretch between Forth Road Bridge between Ferrytoll Park and Ride in Fife and the Edinburgh Park Train and Tram interchange, and will take place under SEA Level 4 - a certification system for autonomous vehicles in the UK.
Its sensors and control technology was fitted by Fusion Processing which should allow it to run on pre-determined roads without the need for human intervention, safely operating for its 36 passengers.
The road tests follow on from depot trials involving track testing and simulations in a bid to fine-tune its systems.
"Stagecoach is continuing to look for ways to improve the service it offers to customers, including through major investment in new technology, such as the CAVForth pilot," said Stagecoach's Scotland regional director Sam Greer.
"This is a major step forward in our journey to fully launch the UK’s first autonomous bus service and will provide easy access to a brand-new bus route in the heart of East Scotland."
Alongside the project, Transport Scotland also recently opened a new bus-only hard shoulder on the M8, which could help reduce journey times, reduce congestion and the risk of an accident with cars or cyclists.
Feedback from 500 members of the public has also aided in the development of the trials, who provided feedback on safety standards and how public confidence in a system like this could be cemented.
In addition, Stagecoach is also set to hire a team of autonomous bus workers who will help simulate any future trips. Taking the role of inspectors and hosts, these "Autonomous Bus Professionals," as they are known, will help monitor the systems alongside the driver, known as a "captain" across the fleet in East Scotland.
Credit: Alexander Dennis
They will also talk to customers and answer any questions they may have about the journey.
Fusion Processing CEO Jim Hutchinson described the trials as the "most complex and ambitious autonomous vehicle programme" in the world, providing a valuable service for the locals of East Scotland.
"On-road testing is an exciting milestone in the development of autonomous commercial vehicles and we look forward to welcoming passengers on board in a few months’ time,” he added.
Autonomous vehicles are something of a hot topic in the industry right now, with many believing they are the future of travel.
Read more: The vehicles of the future - what's making change possible?
Trials in various countries have been ongoing in recent years, with several countries having already legalised some form of autonomous travel or are expected to in the coming years.
Autonomous vehicles of some form were partially legalised in 2021, with them being permitted at low speeds, but fully self-driving cars are not yet legal in the UK.
However, the Department of Transport has revealed they could be legal by the end of the year, or within the next few years at the latest.
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