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

  • Effortless mobility for everyone
    September 10, 2021
    To improve the way we move people around, a lot of stakeholders are going to need to start cooperating and aligning, suggests Edwin van den Belt, software architect at Dat.mobility
    Read More
  • VW scandal prompts emissions testing debate
    December 1, 2015
    In the wake of the VW scandal John Kendall looks at emissions testing on both sides of the Atlantic. Since the VW emissions story broke in September, emissions testing has come under greater scrutiny, and none more so than in Europe, where critics have long been highlighting the weaknesses of the testing system. Ironically, changes to the emissions testing process were already under review but the story has pushed it up the agenda.
    Read More
  • Glasgow’s new Operations Centre has a key role in city’s future
    June 6, 2014
    David Crawford investigates a control centre with a future. Destined to play a central role in keeping the city and its transport running smoothly during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in July, the new Glasgow Operations Centre in Scotland’s largest urban centre formally went live earlier this year. The aim was to dry run its far-reaching integration of previously distinct core systems and familiarise the public with the initial phase of what will be a long-term post-event legacy. The centre brings together, i
    Read More
  • Xerox takes youthful view of future transport
    August 23, 2016
    Xerox’s David Cummins talks to Colin Sowman about the lessons for city authorities from its survey of younger peoples’ attitude to transport. There can be no better way to get a handle on the future of transport demand than to ask the younger generation about how they view and consume today’s transport. Sociologists have called this group Generation Z – those born between 1995 and 2007 – which will make up 40% of all US consumers by 2020.
    Read More

Highlighted Content