Driverless ParkShuttle to continue operations in the Netherlands

2GetThere’s ParkShuttle driverless vehicle, which has been operated by Connexxion at the Rivium business park in Capelle aan den IJssel in the Netherlands since 1999, will continue running for at least two more years. The contract has been extended until 2018 by the Metropolitan Region Rotterdam The Hague (MRDH) and Capelle aan den IJssel plans to renew the system and expand it once the concession runs out.
November 8, 2016 Read time: 2 mins

8172 2GetThere’s ParkShuttle driverless vehicle, which has been operated by Connexxion at the Rivium business park in Capelle aan den IJssel in the Netherlands since 1999, will continue running for at least two more years. The contract has been extended until 2018 by the Metropolitan Region Rotterdam The Hague (MRDH) and Capelle aan den IJssel plans to renew the system and expand it once the concession runs out.

During its 17 years of operation, the shuttle has carried over 2,000 passengers per day and the vehicles currently in operation have each travelled over 200,000 kilometres.

Passenger appreciation, combined with the positive influence of the system on the business park, is the main reason for the extension; a recent survey of passengers indicates that the ParkShuttle compares favourably with a bus service in terms of reliability, operating hours, waiting times and passenger information.

The initial extension will be towards a new waterbus stop, which will also house am electric cycle rental facility. The route to this location runs over public roads, amongst manually driven traffic, meaning that the ParkShuttle is likely to be the first autonomous system operating in mixed traffic without actually featuring a safety driver or steward on-board.

Several other locations within the MRDH region are now being considered for autonomous transit is being considered.

2getthere is currently developing its third generation automated vehicle, incorporating the sensory systems required to be able to drive in mixed traffic. The new vehicles are lighter, completely bidirectional and feature air-conditioning. The first prototype will be available at the end of January 2017 and 2getthere is discussing their use for the contract extension with the city, MRDH and Connexxion.

Location Based Systems

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Outlook good for transportation technology funding
    January 25, 2012
    Chris Cheever and Chris Thomas of Fontinalis Partners discuss the funding outlook for the ITS industry – where the money’s going to come from, and what needs to happen to facilitate change
    Read More
  • European tunnel upgrades following new safety legislation
    August 20, 2015
    Across Europe there is a very mixed picture of compliance to latest safety standards for road tunnels. Best practice has emerged, however, in the wake of European legislation. Jon Masters reports High profile fatal fires following accidents in the Mont Blanc, Tauern and Gotthard tunnels prompted the 2004 European Union Directive 2004/54 on road tunnel safety. This meant all EU member states would have to meet new standards of safety in road tunnels by 30 April 2014. The Directive applied to all tunnels over
    Read More
  • Authorities switch on to all electric buses as costs tumble
    January 9, 2018
    Alan Dron looks at changes in bus propulsion as cities look to improve air quality and seek to reduce maintenance costs. Despite the ending of various incentives to adopt alternative fuels, the introduction of electric buses by US transit authorities is picking up speed as performance improves, costs drop and air quality considerations become increasingly significant. More US bus manufacturers are introducing zero-emission models and some recent contracts will see many more passengers getting their first
    Read More
  • GIS mapping smoothes ITS operations and increases efficiencies
    January 30, 2012
    Alexander Gerschenkron, the famous economic historian, once posited a benefit for those countries which come late to economic development: that they could introduce the latest technology and thus jump over some of the standard development paths followed by their predecessors . It is entirely possible to make the same observation of late-comers to ITS: that they can gain from the pains of those who went before and more easily implement best practice in ITS. As a consequence, it is entirely likely the Abu Dha
    Read More

Highlighted Content