Highly automated driving bus in urban scenarios

Abstract

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) are becoming a widely popular technology for researchers and industry. Many European Projects are dealing with application on automated vehicles, for example on passenger transportation, supporting the deployment of different Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). In that sense, the present work aims to present a first approximation to the design and implementation of an automated electric bus for people transportation within the port of Malaga - Spain. The bus will be instrumented and equipped counting with a dual mode operation where the driver can select between different driving strategies: manual, semi-automated (feet-off or hand-off) or fully automated, being the driver only responsible to be aware of the situation and take control if needed. The scenario presents a challenging environment with pedestrians, vehicles, roundabouts and intersections. An implementation of a robust controller as well as a safety based decision system focused to user comfort and energy efficiency will be developed.