Suffolk's Autonomous Revolution: Self-Driving Bus on Display for Transport Trial
Suffolk County is at the forefront of a transportation revolution, showcasing a self-driving bus as part of a groundbreaking trial. The local council has been working tirelessly with Smart City Consultancy to evaluate the technical, operational, and regulatory challenges of integrating autonomous shuttle services into a potential future network of mobility hubs across the county. This ambitious project aims to revolutionize how residents and visitors move within and around Suffolk.
In collaboration with Ohmio UK, the council is conducting a £325,000 feasibility study to explore the practical applications of autonomous shuttle buses. The star of this trial is the ADASTRA prototype, a fully autonomous vehicle designed in New Zealand without a steering wheel or driver's seat. ADASTRA can accommodate up to 14 passengers at speeds of up to 40 mph (64 km/h), but during the trial, it has been limited to carrying eight seated passengers at a maximum speed of 15 mph (24 km/h) with a safety operator on board.
This trial marks a significant step towards a future where self-driving buses become a common sight on Suffolk's roads, potentially transforming the way people travel and commute.
