2getthere’s Group Rapid Transit vehicle passes desert climate test

2getthere’s Group Rapid Tansit (GRT) autonomous vehicle has proven in a simulated desert climate that it can maintain an indoor temperature of 23˚C even in the worst scenario (52˚C outside temperature and 3% humidity). The climate test took place in the Utrecht province and is one of many tests regarding the mega-order received from United Arab Emirates earlier this year. From 2020, five vehicles will perform fully autonomous shuttle services to and from Bluewater Island in Dubai.
October 26, 2017 Read time: 2 mins

8172 2getthere’s Group Rapid Tansit (GRT) autonomous vehicle has proven in a simulated desert climate that it can maintain an indoor temperature of 23˚C even in the worst scenario (52˚C outside temperature and 3% humidity). The climate test took place in the Utrecht province and is one of many tests regarding the mega-order received from United Arab Emirates earlier this year. From 2020, five vehicles will perform fully autonomous shuttle services to and from Bluewater Island in Dubai.

GRT was subject to three tests in weather conditions such as ‘hot dry’ and ‘hot humid’ with a focus on the performance of the air conditioning system (ACS) at the vehicles maximum capacity of 24 passengers.

13 ACS has been developed in collaboration with suppliers DC Airco and Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) who used the simulation of heat management in relation to airflow within the vehicle in its design of the air conditioning. Its development has been partly financed through a 2024 Massachusetts Institute of Technology research grant in which DC Airco and 2getthere have both participated.

The simulated weather conditions included extremely high temperatures and sun radiation with average peaks in the sun radiation of 1,040 Watts per square metre and peaks in temperature of 52˚C around 3.30pm. In the climatic chamber, both peaks were simulated at the same time.

The GRT’s 16 standing passengers represented 120 Watts each and eight seated passengers each represented 100 Watts were simulated by placing a 3000-Watt heat source inside the vehicle. Part of the test focused on performance during transition: the speed at which indoor conditions are brought back to the most comfortable level for passengers after the doors close and the vehicle starts its journey. The most extreme test was based on the vehicle standing still with the doors open for six minutes, but in actual circumstances much shorter stops will be sufficient to allow 24 passengers to enter the vehicle and find their seats.

According to 2getthere the test marks another step towards the operational deployment of the system, scheduled for 2019/2020.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • See into the VR future at 3M's stand
    February 22, 2018
    We’re on the cusp of connected roads becoming a reality. So what will the world look like then? Visitors to the 3M stand at Intertraffic Amsterdam booth will be able to experience the future through two virtual reality (VR) installations. The 3M Connected Roads programme will enable visitors to immerse themselves in a VR world that will provide a glimpse into what the future of roadway infrastructure could look like, and the concepts being developed. The goal of the programme is to help facilitate the l
    Read More
  • Serco extends Dubai Metro contract
    October 29, 2013
    International service company Serco Group is to continue to operate and maintain the Dubai Metro. The company has signed a five-year extension to its contract with the Dubai Government Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in a deal valued at approximately US$571, with an opportunity to extend for a further two years to 2021. Serco first provided pre-launch consultancy and planning to the RTA from 2007 and began operating and maintaining the initial 10 stations on the Red Line from its official opening an
    Read More
  • 2019 ‘won’t be the year of blockchain’, says Fujitsu
    February 6, 2019
    Blockchain technology will not break through into the mainstream of the British transportation sector during 2019, according to Fujitsu. Blockchain has been touted as the solution to a number of transportation issues, but Chris Patton from Fujitsu’s EMEIA transport team urges caution. While acknowledging that the technology holds ‘exciting’ operational and commercial potential for the public transport sector, he says: “The key word there, though, is potential. While it is undeniable blockchain will ma
    Read More
  • Clearview Intelligence targets traffic safety solutions
    April 18, 2024
    While celebrating its 50th anniversary, Clearview Intelligence is offering two new solar studs that can help boost traffic safety, as well as a novel CCTV-based traffic counter system. One of the new solar studs is designed for use on roads and can be installed easily in a standard mounting in place of the existing retroreflective stud. Peter Cattell, head of technical sales at Clearview, said: “They’re fully charged after four hours and remain lit for 200 hours.”
    Read More

Highlighted Content