RABus

The aim of the RABus project (Reallabor für den Automatisierten Busbetrieb im ÖPNV in der Stadt und auf dem Land) is to research the development of electric bus shuttles in two real-world laboratories. Funded by the German federal state Baden-Wuerttemberg, the project partners are FKFS, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT), Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr, Stadtverkehr Friedrichshafen with DB ZugBus Regionalverkehr Alb-Bodensee and ZF Friedrichshafen. 2getthere is the provider of the autonomous transit system and vehicles.

For more information: www.projekt-rabus.de

Mannheim

Franklin in Mannheim was once the largest residential area of the US Army. In the years 2015 to 2025, apartments will be built for a total of 9,000 people, commercial facilities and around 50 hectares of parkland. Connected to the city by tram, the 144 hectare area requires efficient last mile transit. Automated shuttle buses will connect from the tram stop at ‘Platz der Freundshaft’, initially with two vehicles serving two loops. The focus of the Mannheim real world laboratory is the step-by-step implementation of driverless vehicles capable of driving along with other traffic at the speed limit of 20km/h in the residential area.

Friedrichshafen

Friedrichshafen is an economic and research-strong regional center on Lake Constance, attracting over 350,000 guests per year for tourism and exhibitions. The city has been investing in construction and development of test field for automated driving since 2018. The automated shuttle buses are intended to compliment the existing 18 bus lines initially within the city, by connecting the ZF Forum and Klinikum. In a next step the shuttles will also provide interurban connections, requiring a higher speed of 60km/h to be able drive along with other traffic.