An automated shuttle (also known as a self-driving or vehicle), is a vehicle, capable of carrying multiple passengers, that uses a range of sensors to understand its surroundings – allowing it to move around safely with little or no operator input. The SCALE fleet will consist of three Ohmio ‘Lift’ vehicles. The Lift is Ohmio's flagship autonomous shuttle capable of carrying up to 14 passengers but we will only be carrying 6 during the trial.
Each bus will run a set route through the NEC, up to Birmingham Business Park and then back again. There are stops all the way along this route and they’re all listed on the live tracker.
The bus has a live tracker where you can see where each bus is on their shuttle route and when they will arrive at your stop.
The shuttles are aware of their environment via a range of sophisticated cameras and sensors – this means they have the ability to stop themselves in an emergency or if there is an unexpected hazard in the road. In line with current UK legislation there will also be a safety operator on-board at all times who is able to take full control of the vehicle at any time.
The shuttles are fully electric and have a range of 125 miles. They will be charged at the end of each day.
The shuttles are capable of operating at up to 25mph in autonomous mode, but will be limited to 15mph for the purpose of the trial (in line with the NEC speed limit).
Although the safety operator has the ability to take control of the shuttle in an emergency, they will not be operating the shuttle on the majority of the route. The route has been pre-mapped so the vehicles are aware of their environment – this means they have the ability to stop themselves in an emergency or if there is an unexpected hazard in the road.
The goal for this technology is to remove the need for a safety operator within the vehicle in the future, instead allowing them to be remotely monitored from a control room.
The trial route will be expanded in phases, eventually linking up Birmingham International rail station to Birmingham Business Park via the NEC campus. Onsite testing is currently underway but operational details, including timetables and route maps will be announced shortly.
The shuttle is free during the trial period.
Grant funding for this multi-million pound project has been provided by the Department for Transport’s Centre for Connected Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV). SCALE is one of just 6 pathfinder projects in the country to secure funding via CCAVs Deployment competition. As part of this, Solihull Council will receive £579,260 of grant-funding to deliver the project, as well as oversee installation of specialist roadside technology to allow the smooth running of the vehicles. Additional contributions will be provided via the project’s private sector consortium members.
The shuttle is fully accessible to wheelchair users. It is equipped with an integrated ramp, a floor anchor and restraint system.
Led by Solihull Council, the project is being delivered by a consortium including both the University of Warwick and Coventry University, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), Liftango, The NEC and several leading autonomous vehicle industry specialists.
The success of these trials will provide knowledge and experience of self-driving vehicles in a real-world environment, meaning that they could be rolled-out elsewhere in Solihull or as part of a permanent route in the future.
