Alexander Dennis has announced its continued involvement in the CAVForth2 project, aimed at developing autonomous bus technology. The project is being led by Fusion Processing Ltd and is supported by the UK government's Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles. The project is jointly funded by the UK government, Alexander Dennis, Fusion Processing, Stagecoach, Edinburgh Napier University, and the University of West of England.
As part of the project, Stagecoach, the largest bus operator in the UK, will expand the existing CAVForth autonomous bus service from Edinburgh Park station to Dunfermline city center. The 14-mile route will now cover a five-mile section that includes more complex driving scenarios on busy roads and in the city center.
The capability to drive autonomously in these challenging conditions will be provided by an upgraded version of the CAVStar® ADS (Automated Drive System), developed and supplied by Fusion Processing. The autonomous bus will be based on the next-generation Enviro100EV electric bus from Alexander Dennis, fitted with Fusion's CAVStar® ADS. The Enviro100AEV will operate alongside five existing autonomous Alexander Dennis Enviro200AV buses from the original CAVForth project. The public launch of the expanded route is set for this spring after extensive testing.
See also: First Bus Launches UK's First Zero Emission Autonomous Bus Service
Alexander Dennis's Head of Concepts and Advanced Engineering, Jamie Wilson, welcomed the confirmation of UK Government funding: “This renewed support from the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles builds on our achievements in the CAVForth project and will allow us to further develop autonomous bus technology here in the UK. This ensures the British bus industry remains at the forefront of global trends and helps secure jobs in the automotive industry. Our new Enviro100AEV will demonstrate another use case for our extremely versatile next-generation electric bus as Alexander Dennis continues to lead the transition to zero-emission mobility.”
Autonomous driving technology has the potential to offer significant benefits for bus fleets, including improved fuel efficiency and reduced wear on brakes and tires. By mapping the drive system to match the performance of the most efficient driver, Fusion Processing aims to optimize acceleration for a smooth and efficient ride. Additionally, the system adjusts the vehicle's speed in response to traffic lights, ensuring that they turn green as the bus approaches, further reducing wear on brakes and tires.
Despite the use of automated technology, buses will still be staffed by specially trained Autonomous Bus Professionals recruited by Stagecoach in East Scotland. These experienced drivers will act as safety personnel, monitoring the autonomous system and acting as a backup. Passengers will also be attended to by a bus Captain who will move around the vehicle, answering questions and ensuring a high-quality experience.
“CAVForth2 builds on our extensive experience in developing a fleet of five full size SAE Level 4 autonomous buses, engineered to operate safely on public roads and extends the route by a further five miles into a more complex urban environment,” said Jim Hutchinson, CEO, Fusion Processing Ltd. “We have every confidence that the next generation of our CAVStar® Automated Drive System which combines a range of Radar, LiDAR and optical sensors with state-of-the-art artificial intelligence processing unit will be up to the task.”
“We're very proud to be pioneers of this technology with our plans to roll out the UK's first full-sized autonomous bus service in Scotland in the spring,” said Carla Stockton-Jones, UK Managing Director, Stagecoach. “The government funding announced today means that we can build further on this achievement by advancing the technology as we extend our Scottish bus trial to cover a longer route. We look forward to working with our partners across the country to roll out CAVForth2 and the other autonomous projects awarded funding today, which will all help to ensure that the UK remains firmly on the map for its advancements in autonomous technology.”
