The Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) has revisited its driverless shuttle bus, testing the autonomous vehicle trial that came to a COVID halt in 2020.
Announcing the vehicle’s return to the Tonsley Innovation precinct, the Department said the trial would now be resumed to pick up helping to shape the future application of autonomous technology on South Australia’s roads.
It said the original 2018 trial of the Flinders University shuttle (FLEX) uncovered the autonomous vehicle that offered first and last-mile transport on public roads within the 61-hectare Tonsley Innovation Precinct.
It said the revived tests would put on-demand technologies to analyse such the possibles of using a mobile app booking system; testing how the FLEX autonomous vehicles can communicate with traffic signals; and simulating travel without an on-board safety operator using an operations supervision centre.
DIT said the FLEX vehicle, which could seat 11 passengers, can be docked within a six-bay solar re-charging garage which has be built near the Tonsley Administration building on Tonsley Boulevard.
“The solar re-charging station will also be available for members of the public to recharge their electric vehicles for free, as part of an awareness campaign to promote carbon neutral transport options,” the Department said.
It said it would join Flinders University, the RAA and iMOVE Australia to trial the latest innovative automated vehicle technology which is supported by SAGE Automation and Keolis Downer.
To book a ride on the FLEX vehicle as it’s being tested, readers can sign on with the Flinders University at this PS News link.
