The very first tests with self-driving buses in traffic have taken place in Leuven, capital of Flemish Brabant. Yesterday, Flemish local transport company De Lijn tested a self-driving bus on a fixed route between the stations of Heverlee and Leuven. For the time being, the vehicle still operates without passengers, but people will be able to travel on it from mid-November onwards. ‘A trained steward always travels along with the bus to intervene when necessary.’
There was a taste of the future in Leuven yesterday, as a self-driving bus travelled through city traffic. De Lijn tested the route between the two stations of Heverlee and Leuven. The local transport company wants to test the route extensively before passengers are allowed on board in November. The first test took place yesterday, with several more to follow before mid-November.
‘Autonomous shuttles are no longer science fiction,’ says Ann Schoubs, Director-General of De Lijn. ‘We are using this technology to make mobility safer and more efficient. In the future, we will be able to use this technology to attract many more passengers by further increasing the availability of public transport.’
But is it safe?
Alderman Dirk Vansina is happy with the project but also emphasises the need for safety. ‘We are happy to make our streets available to allow this project,’ he told VRT. ‘At the same time, we believe it is crucial that this test phase offers the necessary safety guarantees. A trained steward will always be present on board to intervene if necessary.’
Annick De Ridder (Flemish nationalist N-VA), the Flemish Mobility Minister, sees great potential for the new vehicles. ‘Autonomous vehicles can increase road safety, reduce traffic jams and alleviate parking pressure,’ she says. ‘Outside city centres, in time they will be able to provide reliable transport connections to rural areas as well as for people with limited mobility.’
Also in Barcelona and Paris
The vehicles are supplied by technology company WeRide. They have already been deployed in China and tested successfully in Zurich, Valence, Barcelona and Paris. ‘The vehicles contain the most advanced technology currently available,’ De Lijn says.