ALBUS

ALBUS - Integration of three autonomous line buses in the Hanover region

The future of public transport depends crucially on developments in the field of autonomous driving. An efficient, comprehensive and demand-oriented service that is affordable for both operators and customers is only possible with the introduction of driverless vehicles. The main challenge here is to include rural areas that are difficult to serve in the public transport network - which seems rather unrealistic with the automated minibuses that have been tested many times.

 

Project Goals

Unlike previous projects, ALBUS aims at the sustainable integration of three large, fully automated (level 4) electric buses into the regular public transport operations of the Hannover region, which correspond in terms of equipment and capacity to the conventionally used public buses. The introduction of the autonomous bus routes is supported by accompanying scientific studies and public relations work, which examine and evaluate social acceptance, the impact on the environment and traffic as well as the legal framework. The transferable and scalable project approach, which is unique in Germany to date, will create incentives for the expansion of similar projects in the German mobility sector.


Implementation

Initially, a standard autonomous bus (50 standing and seated) will be tested for 10 months to gather technical and operational findings. After the subsequent upscaling, a total of three L4 autonomous buses will be operated in regular service, fully networked with the transport infrastructure and integrated into the regional fare model. Various participation formats will involve citizens intensively in the project planning and surveys will track the development of public opinion. By accompanying the approval and licensing processes, a guideline for the integration of autonomous buses into public transport can be developed as part of the project, which also includes recommendations for any necessary legal adjustments. An impact analysis will also examine the potential of automated public transport systems on transport-related CO2 emissions.

 

Role of the IVS

In ALBUS, the IVS assumes the main responsibility for the scientific support of the project. The main focus is on investigating the potential impact of the use of autonomous buses in public transport on traffic and the environment. To this end, the IVS is first developing a simulation model that maps the real areas of application of the buses used in the project. In addition, the driving behavior of the buses is precisely integrated into the simulation so that reliable results can be obtained. In addition to modeling the status quo and the lines to be implemented in reality, the simulation also analyzes scenarios that represent a higher penetration of autonomous vehicles in public transport. Consequently, the effects of future public transport models can also be examined and the potential for these estimated.

Further information on the project is available on the BMDV website (in German):

https://bmdv.bund.de/SharedDocs/DE/Pressemitteilungen/2023/027-luksic-innovative-technologien-oepnv.html

 


Project Lead

Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Friedrich
Room 283

Contact persons