Automated shuttle services in public transport. Lessons learned from the smart feeder research project in Norway

Backround. Automated mobility services hold a potential to change the way transport is performed, giving rise to previously unknown possibilities, but also new challenges as well. The technology push is significant, as the automotive industry and technology providers are in head of a rapid technology development, while the transport authorities are captivated by promising benefits on improved safety and efficiency. How do we make sure the technology is applied in such a way that we move towards a more sustainable transport future? Smart mobility services need to be developed as part of a safe, efficient, and user-friendly public transport system. Furthermore, potential barriers in terms of technical, legal, and societal challenges need to be identified and overcome. Hence, policy makers are in urgent need of knowledge on how technological innovations and automated mobility services should be realised to obtain beneficial impacts for users and society. In recent years, automated shuttle buses at SAE level 4 (SAE J3016, 2016) have been introduced as commercial products, ready for large scale piloting in real life environments. In Norway, the legal framework for testing of automated vehicles on public roads became effective in January 2018. Since then, extensive pilot activities have been conducted, leading to Norway being ranked among the top three countries in the world in terms of being prepared for the future deployment of autonomous vehicles (KPMG, 2019; 2020). The SmartFeeder research project (2017-2020) has studied the introduction of automated shuttle buses in Norway. The purpose is to use the early pilot experiences to build knowledge on how automated mobility services should be implemented in the future transport system