Australia’s first fully driverless and electric shuttle bus, the RAC Intellibus, has started the on-road stage of its trial in South Perth.
The RAC Intellibus will carry passengers and interact with traffic, parked cars, cyclists and pedestrians as it travels along South Perth Esplanade between the Old Mill, near the Narrows Bridge, and Sir James Mitchell Park.
Since the shuttle’s arrival in WA in April, RAC has been working with the State Government, specialist technicians and the vehicle manufacturer NAVYA to undertake significant testing of the shuttle in a closed environment.
RAC Group Chief Executive Officer Terry Agnew said Western Australia is leading the way in exploring the possibilities of driverless vehicle technology, with the RAC Intellibus trial set to be the first in the country, and among the first in the world.
Terry Agnew said: “This trial is an Australian-first, and will be a real trial incorporating members of the public travelling on public roads.
“We anticipate this first step in exploring driverless technology will start a conversation on further trials, research and collaboration, which will increase WA’s understanding of how driverless vehicles can integrate into our transport system.
“The trial will help WA develop a roadmap of changes that will need to occur for driverless vehicles to safely transition on to our roads and become an integrated part of our transport system.
“The RAC Intellibus, which can transport up to 11 passengers and will operate at an average speed of 25km per hour, will make RAC members and the broader WA community some of the first people in the world to experience a driverless vehicle in action.”
City of South Perth Mayor Sue Doherty noted that South Perth foreshore was a superb location for the trial.
Sue Doherty said: “The City of South Perth is pleased to offer support to this joint initiative of the RAC and the State Government. In the future, this innovative form of public transport has the potential to help alleviate traffic congestion by reducing the number of vehicles on the road, and at the same time having a positive impact on the environment.”
RAC recently surveyed almost 1,000 Western Australians on how they feel about driverless technology, with almost half (46%) saying they think it will result in less traffic congestion; 70% saying it will give more freedom and independence to the ageing and those with mobility difficulties; and more than half (53%) saying it will result in fewer car crashes and reduce severity of crashes. A further 60% said it will mean daily travel time can be used more effectively and productively doing other activities.
RAC members and the public can register for a chance to ride the RAC Intellibus and participate in the trial.
