Bus and Coach

Automated Enviro200 buses begin on-route testing in Scotland

28 April 2022 #Bus and Coach

Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) is carrying out live tests of its automated Enviro200 bus in Scotland ahead of passenger services planned later in the year.

Bus operator Stagecoach will be conducting on-road testing of the next-generation transport vehicle over the next two weeks in partnership with ADL, Fusion Processing and Transport Scotland.

No passengers will be carried in the tests, which will prepare for the launch of the CAVForth pilot service later this year, jointly funded by the UK Government’s Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV), Fusion, ADL, Stagecoach and Transport Scotland.

CAVForth will see put five Enviro200 single deck buses in operation at SAE Level 4 over Forth Road Bridge, between Ferrytoll Park and Ride in Fife and the Edinburgh Park train and tram interchange.

The buses are fitted with Fusion Processing sensor and control technology, CAVStar, which enables them to run on pre-selected roads without the safety driver having to intervene or take control.

They will provide a service capable of carrying up to 36 passengers at a time over the 14 miles across the bridge, with capacity for over 10,000 passengers a week.

The on-road testing in Scotland follows successful depot-based trials, track testing and virtual simulation where the buses have been put through their paces to fine tune the autonomous drive systems.

Chris Gall, ADL Group Engineering Director, said: “As we move towards passenger services later in the year, the project will be a landmark demonstration of future technologies in transport.”

 

Filter News

Update Newsletter