The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) has highlighted the use of online simulations as part of a pilot of autonomous buses in its region.
The partnership brings together a group of local authorities and industry partners as the local delivery body for a city deal with central government.
It said that two of its members, dRISK and IPG Automative, are working together to create online simulations to predict and analyse different scenarios that Connector buses will find themselves in during their on-road trials.
They are looking to identify levels of risk before any real life testing with the vehicles takes place. This is intended to ensure that the autonomous bus trial is carried out safely.
It involves the use of dRISK’s advanced data modelling techniques to analyse risk levels on the chosen autonomous vehicle (AV) service routes. By collecting comprehensive data from existing road traffic accident reports, insurance records and real world autonomous vehicle incidents elsewhere, dRISK can identify high risk scenarios that Connector vehicles might encounter around Cambridge.
IPG Automotive is providing the simulation tools – through its TruckMaker software – digital infrastructure and expertise to analyse any vehicle configuration on countless driving scenarios and edge cases, mitigating the risks of the initial deployment.
Essential step
Andy Williams, chair of GCP’s smart working group, said: “We’re moving forward with our Connector project which is exploring the use of autonomous buses to potentially become part of Cambridge’s public transport system. Our partnership with government and industry recognises testing of autonomous vehicle (AV) technology before the buses carry passengers is essential for us to understand how autonomy can support a greener, more efficient transport network across Greater Cambridge.
“We know how exciting AV technology is but we also know that simulation work like this offers a safer, faster, and more cost-effective way to trial the hundreds of scenarios autonomous buses may encounter. This kind of thorough testing allows development and deployment projects such as Connector to further refine the most critical things that need to be tested in the physical world.
“Together, dRISK and IPG are helping the Connector project understand how and where system technology or vehicle updates and additional tests in the real world can enhance safety for road users and passengers as they experience travelling on an autonomous vehicle.”
