self-driving bus
UK's first self-driving bus being tested in Sharston depot in Manchester. Credit: Alexander Dennis.

Transport operator Stagecoach, bus maker Alexander Dennis (ADL) and technology firm Fusion Processing have started testing of a full-sized autonomous bus in Sharston depot in Manchester, UK.

The trial of the 11.5m ADL Enviro200 vehicle, which is said to be the UK’s first full-sized self-driving bus, will offer future road safety benefits for vehicles operating in manual mode.

Under the trial programme, the self-driving bus will be driven in autonomous mode within the depot premises to carry out movements such as parking and moving into the bus wash.

Stagecoach CEO Martin Griffiths said: “This is an exciting project to trial autonomous technology on a full-sized bus for the first time in the UK.

“Our employees are the beating heart of our business and I believe that will remain the case, but the world is changing fast, particularly where new technology is involved, and it’s our job to lead the way in looking at ways to continually progress and improve our operations for the good of the many people who use our bus services every day.”

“Buses in both trials will be used autonomously to Level 4 standard, meaning a driver will be behind the steering wheel to take control in case of emergencies.”

The bus is fitted with Fusion Processing’s CAVstar system, which utilises numerous sensors, including radar, optical cameras, ultrasound, light detection and ranging (LiDAR), as well as satellite navigation to perceive and avoid objects in all weather conditions and plan the path for the vehicle.

The technology is being tested in Manchester and will also form the basis for another pilot scheme due to commence in 2020.

Under the plans, five self-driving buses will transport passengers between Edinburgh and Fife across the Forth Road Bridge Corridor.

Buses in both trials will be used autonomously to Level 4 standard, meaning a driver will be behind the steering wheel to take control in case of emergencies.

Fusion Processing CEO Jim Hutchinson said: “Beyond this trial, we look forward to continue our collaboration with Stagecoach and Alexander Dennis Limited delivering the world’s first large scale autonomous bus service in Edinburgh in 2020.”