New Flyer introduces automated e-transit bus

In cooperation with Robotic Research, a US-based engineering and technology company, Canadian bus manufacturer New Flyer has developed the autonomous heavy-duty transit bus Xcelsior AV, which operates with Level 4 technology. It is currently running on the Robotic Research test track in Maryland.

"For the future, we expect fleets of automated buses to improve road safety and have the potential to reduce commuter times, increase energy efficiency, and reduce congestion. As standards and regulations are developed and implemented, and automated buses are deployed across North America, we expect our Xcelsior AV to enable meaningful improvements for public transit users, which we hope will lead to increased ridership," said Chris Stoddart, President of New Flyer.

What the installed system components can do according to New Flyer:

• Environment visualization: The bus can visualize its current surroundings using sensors (such as LIDAR, radar, and cameras) that create a three-dimensional model of the world through which it navigates.
• Pedestrian detection and avoidance: The bus can detect the presence of a pedestrian and adjust the course to avoid them.
• Vehicle detection: The bus uses 360° sensors to detect the presence of other vehicles and responds with corresponding course adjustments.
• Precise docking: The bus is precisely maneuvered to allow passengers with limited mobility to board from the platform at level ground.
• Vehicle-to-Vehicle (or “V2V”): The bus is capable of direct communication with other vehicles, allowing for safe platooning.
• Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (or “V2I”): The bus communicates with signaled intersections or other infrastructure-based warnings, such as pedestrian and vehicle alerts (e.g., "Beacon Sense™"). These functions also help improve safety, efficiency, and spatial usage in the bus depot through features like autonomous parking, fueling, and cleaning.
• Day or night operation: The bus is fully capable of driving day and night, regardless of lighting or weather conditions, based on its defined Operational Design Domain (or "ODD").
• Safe and redundant system: The bus can operate even when GPS is unavailable. It responds to real-time data and events as they occur instead of relying solely on pre-mapped routes, buildings, and infrastructure.
• Performance analysis: The bus is equipped with "nSight" end-to-end data capture for analytical technology, providing deep insights into the bus's performance and its interaction with other vehicles and infrastructure during its route and operation.

Along with New Flyer President Stoddart, Alberto Lacaze, President of Robotic Research, believes that autonomous technology will not only increase transit safety but also improve vehicle throughput and occupancy. He adds:

"Automated buses have the potential to improve traffic patterns and reduce stop-and-go traffic, benefiting not only mass transit users but also the entire infrastructure."

The 12.5-meter-long Xcelsior AV has 40 seats and two wheelchair spaces on board. The autonomous battery bus is powered by the Xcelsior Charge electric drive system.

What does this mean?

New Flyer is venturing into larger calibers in terms of autonomous robo-buses, which could function well in transit.