Intelligent traffic lights guide driverless buses through traffic
The pioneering autonomous bus service in the Swiss city of Sion is entering a new phase. Thanks to intelligent traffic lights, the SmartShuttles will be able to cross junctions without the help of a driver.
Initially, the two bright-yellow driverless buses carried up to 11 passengers along a 1.5km (0.9 mile) route through the Old Town as part of an initiative launched in December 2015. The vehicle was the first of its kind in Switzerland and one of the first in the world to transport passengers using robotic technology instead of a driver.
On Monday, the city authorities announced the next innovation: the buses will now not only have to deal with a longer stretch with more traffic but also cross two streets. To enable them to do this safely, two intelligent traffic lights will be set up in the next few days.
Communication between the bus and the lights is via a wireless local area network (WLAN) that follows a new European standard being used in Switzerland for the first time. The shuttle receives a signal every second telling it when the lights change colour and the nature of the junction, allowing the bus to adjust its speed.
The next aim is to navigate roundabouts, with trials set to begin in the coming months.
Passengers can ride the buses for free and a human driver is always on board who can stop the bus if necessary. In 80% of cases when the human has to step in, it’s due to an illegally parked car.
More
More
Are the Swiss prepared for driverless cars?
This content was published on
The idea that one day autonomous cars could be whizzing along Swiss streets makes many Swiss uneasy, a study has found.
This content was published on
Swiss public broadcasters RTS and SRF are drastically reducing their communications via the social network X (formerly Twitter).
Israel: president of Swiss universities rejects academic boycott
This content was published on
Luciana Vaccaro, president of Swissuniversities, the umbrella group of Swiss universities, is not in favour of an academic boycott of Israeli universities.
First large-scale alpine solar plant approved in Switzerland
This content was published on
The approval was met with satisfaction by the project's organisers, but it also brings with it a certain amount of pressure.
Medieval squirrels may have ‘helped spread leprosy’
This content was published on
An examination of squirrel remains in the United Kingdom has opened up interesting questions and possibilities in terms of the history of the disease.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Geneva to test fleet of self-driving buses
This content was published on
The canton of Geneva is set to test a system of self-driving public buses as part of an international project part-funded by the EU.
This content was published on
The city of Sion plans to expand its pioneering autonomous bus service, doubling the length of its route and extending the offer to the end of 2018.
First autonomous transport service in Switzerland inaugurated
This content was published on
The “self-driving” electric minibuses link the Marly Innovation Center (MIC) in the suburbs to the Fribourg Public Transport (TPF) network. The 1.3 km journey takes seven minutes with four stops. The vehicles have an autonomy of eight hours and their maximum speed is limited to 25 km/h. Guided by GPS and radars they stop and…
This content was published on
One window on the post bus broke and the rear door of the van “was slightly damaged,” according to a press release from PostBus, the company which operates the bus. The vehicle recently made headlines for becoming the first of its kind in Switzerland and one of the first in the world to transport passengers…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.