The FABULOS project focuses on how cities can use automated buses in a systematic way. During the year 2020, field tests in five of the partnering countries take place. Next pilot locations are the cities of Lamia and Helmond. The overall goal is to procure the operations of an autonomous bus line by utilizing pre-commercial procurement tool.
Ambitious goals for field testing
Three selected prototypes are tested as small fleets of automated buses in Tallinn (Estonia), Pasila (Finland), Lamia (Greece), Helmond (the Netherlands) and Ålgård (Norway) by the three awarded consortia. The duration of each field test is 50 days minimum. All pilot cities’ routes are aiming to offer solutions for the last mile transportation, but have their own unique qualities and geographical challenges.
All the pilots will take place in urban settings, but each pilot location has its own special challenges. In Ålgård, located in Municipality of Gjesdal, has a 12% incline due to the mountainous terrain, whereas in Lamia high temperatures must be successfully managed, for example. In Helmond the large number of cyclists must be taken into consideration and in Helsinki the route passes the second busiest train station in the country. In Tallinn, the connection to the airport is improved, leading to challenges with factors such as existing bus traffic.
Evaluation of the pilots
In all the locations, the shuttle services are tested to ensure the remote operability from the control room. Furthermore, the buses must be able to autonomously overtake obstacles such as parked cars. The shuttle service needs to fulfil three overarching requirements regarding safety and technical maturity as well as societal and legal maturity to stay within the scope of the FABULOS project.
After each of the pilots, the Technical Evaluation Committee will carry out an evaluation process. The Committee consists of representatives of each partnering city and Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.
Further information
Renske Martijnse-Hartikka
#AiRMOUR #FABULOS
Mobile: +358 40 683 7979
renske.martijnse-hartikka(at)forumvirium.fi
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