Where are we doing this?

Intellibus route map South Perth
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The 3.5 km journey starts at the RAC Intellibus® Hub travelling along the South Perth Esplanade and heads west to the Old Mill. The South Perth foreshore is an iconic tourist destination with views of the City's skyline across the Swan River. The Old Mill is one of Perth's oldest landmarks built in 1835 and is open to the public for guided tours.

 

The site was chosen after an assessment of over 20 sites across the Perth Metropolitan area. The South Perth site is divided into three phases with each phase involving increasing levels of interaction with road users and traffic conditions.

 

Trial stages

The trial involves a number of stages, with each stage designed to test and evaluate automated vehicle technology in a variety of settings and scenes. Each stage involved increasing levels of complexity, then finally interactions with road users. 

Stage 1: Closed stage

 Intellibus during road test  Intellibus interior digital screen  Intellibus trial on road 
 

In the first stage of our trial, vehicle commissioning and testing were undertaken in April 2016 on a private track.  With no pre-existing guidelines in place, RAC worked hands-on with local specialist technicians and Navya to develop an extensive test plan.  We were able to use this stage to observe and record the shuttle's behaviour in autonomous mode.  

A comprehensive course was established with merge lanes, a roundabout, a number of obstacles, a give way and controlled stops.  The tests were conducted in different conditions, situations and scenarios - either naturally occurring or simulated. 

Stage 2: Closed stage on public roads

 Intellibus exterior at South Perth foreshore at night  Intellibus exterior at South Perth foreshore at night  Intellibus exterior at South Perth foreshore at night
 

During this stage, the shuttle was taken on public roads to commission and verify the selected route.

Operating RAC Intellibus® on public roads was a complicated process, involving a number of critical steps such as selecting a route, gaining Special Permit approvals, risk assessments, road safety audits and in-operation reviews, identifying traffic management arrangements and delivery of a community communications campaign.

Stage 3: On public roads

 Intellibus registration hub South Perth  Intellibus exterior at South Perth foreshore next to cyclists  Intellibus exterior at South Perth foreshore next to cyclists
 

The third and public stage in South Perth officially began on 1st September 2016. The route comprises three phases of where each phase includes increasingly complex traffic conditions. This includes increasing levels of interaction with different types of road users, traffic signs, traffic lights, right turn manoeuvres and traffic flows. 

Stage three enables members of the public to visit the RAC Intellibus® Hub and experience a 30 minute ride on the shuttle along the South Perth foreshore.

The continued success of RAC's Intellibus Trial is attributed to the commitment of a great team.  

"The RAC team was completely committed and the same can be said for (project partners) the State Government and the City of South Perth, who really jumped on board with us." says Anne Still, RAC General Manager of Public Policy who leads the trial.

 

City of South Perth Logo Navya Logo Government of Western Australia Logo

This project received funding from the Australian Government.