WSP | ParsonsBrinckerhoff has been engaged by Western Australia’s RAC to undertake route assessments for their fully-automated driverless bus.
The trial will be key to understanding how driverless buses, and automated vehicles in general, can be deployed in a staggered and safe manner onto local road networks.
WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff client director for Western Australia, Phil Nicholls, spoke of the significance of the project.
“This is a fantastic venture for the RAC, and it is a prime opportunity to gain feedback and an understanding of the needs of the community with regard to driverless vehicle technologies.
“This project is a significant milestone for the industry, being one of the first automated bus trials in the southern hemisphere.
“In delivering the project, WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff used a unique and structured process to assess appropriate routes for deployment of the bus to ensure it interacts with vehicles and users, while also reducing road-user and community risk to a minimum.”
These works follow on from WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff’s regional role for Austroads, where the company drafted guidance papers on the introduction of automated vehicles for road operators in Australia and New Zealand.
Globally, WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff is encouraging public debate on automated vehicles around the world.
Five of its international experts are due to present at the ITS World Congress in Melbourne in October.
