What about public safety?

AVs are vehicles that have one or more of the primary driving controls (steering, acceleration, braking) that are automated for a sustained period of time.  

Levels of automation range from no automation of driving controls (Level 0), through automated features that assist the human with the driving task, to highly (Level 4) and fully (Level 5) automated vehicles. The Intellibus and Intellicar are classed as Level 4 vehicles.

Image source: The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) levels of automation.

RAC‘s AV Program is helping develop a roadmap for how AV technology can be applied to solve road safety and mobility challenges in Australia.

The RAC Intellibus® is a driverless shuttle operating on the South Perth foreshore since 31^st August 2016, giving Western Australians the chance to experience driverless technology for themselves.

We believe AV technology has the potential to change the way we move for the better. 

In a safety-first approach, we aim to test and evaluate AVs as we move closer to readying Australia for the safe transition to AVs and our future world of safer, easier and more sustainable transport. 

The State Government and City of South Perth have provided invaluable support to facilitate the trials, including assessing and granting the necessary approvals to operate on public roads.  

The Intellibus trial also received grant funding from the Australian Government from November 2017-June 2019. Such partnerships are vital to deliver successful trials and for moving WA and Australia forward in planning and preparing for a driverless future. 

We collect data from the vehicles performance and interactions with its environment, perceptions of those that ride and the broader community.  We share a range of learnings through submissions to Government and industry, to better prepare for the safe transition of AVs onto our roads. Personal information is protected in line with government legislation.

Safety is our primary priority. All the vehicles are rigorously tested before being placed into a public environment and safety management processes, independent audits, procedures and measures applied. 
In addition, the vehicles:  

• are fitted with seatbelts 
• have emergency buttons and controls for manual intervention
• have stickers or screens visible inside and outside to display information to other road users and passengers
• have a horn or bell

The Intellibus has two Chaperones onboard at all times, who can take control of the vehicle if necessary and there is onsite traffic management.

The Intellibus is manufactured by French company Navya.