University of New England’s (UNE) first driverless vehicle, EZ10, was trotted out for the cameras on Wednesday afternoon for its introduction to the local community. The technology will see a fully-automated, 12 seater shuttle on the roads around the UNE late next month.
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Trialling of the vehicles will be completed in three month stages. The first will see services only at the UNE to transport students and staff from residential colleges to campus. In the second stage a shuttle service will be introduced around the Armidale CBD area. It will be focused on services for the elderly and those with mobility needs. Finally, operations will be expanded in the CBD area to include regular services to the New England Regional Art Museum.
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Armidale Regional Council Mayor Simon Murray said he could see a real benefit for university students.
“When they are doing the trials from the city out to the university and within the city, that’s when the big changes are going to be made,” Mr Murray said.
“Students who might want to indulge themselves in the culinary cuisine in Armidale at night can have a little bus that they can go back to campus on.”
Cr Murray said the driverless service could be part of council’s Draft City Master Plan, but would not be used in any way to design it.
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s this or some other form of transportation, it’s just a means of getting there. The plan is about deciding on what we want and where we want it, that’s the big factor,” he said.
Some drivers may be slowed by traffic management or asked to stop until advised to continue.
- Adam Marshall
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall said the vehicle would be doing mapping at UNE until December 21. During that time it would be moving at very slow speeds, accompanied by a rolling traffic management team.
“Safety is the highest priority for the project team,” Mr Marshall said.
“Advisory signage will be in place at all entry points and along the trial route advising road users that they are entering an automated vehicle route. The vehicle route includes the Queen Elizabeth Drive roundabout entry to UNE.
“We expect the public to be able to take a ride in the shuttle from about late January and we encourage people to get onboard, experience driverless travel and give us their feedback.”
Mr Marshall said it was exciting to see Armidale at the forefront of cutting-edge technology that would undoubtedly play a big role in shaping the transport network of the future.
The vehicles are also being trialled in Coffs Harbour, and the program brings together the NSW Government’s own Smart Innovation Centre with partners Armidale Regional Council, UNE, transport providers Edwards Coaches and Transdev, insurer QBE and technology companies EasyMile and WSP.