The Macleay Valley could be home to a new regional trial of automated vehicles as part of a Transport for NSW (TfNSW) initiative to “develop, test and deliver innovative transport technology directly to customers.”
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At the Kempsey Shire Council meeting on Tuesday February 20, Councillors voted to partner with Busways to submit an Expression Of Interest (EOI) to become a site to trial automated vehicles in the local transport system.
TfNSW is encouraging certain groups in regional towns across NSW to apply to be involved in the trial.
“The NSW Government embraces technology and innovation that will revolutionise the way we live and travel, and is committed to ensure a safe, sustainable transport system,” a statement from TfNSW said.
“Automated vehicles are developing rapidly and appearing in the real world now.
“They hold the promise of a future where road fatalities become a thing of the past, our traffic flows smoothly and customers have access to seamless, affordable, flexible and personalised journeys.
“Involvement in a trial will provide opportunities to integrate your ideas with others to develop, test and deliver innovative transport technology directly to customers,” the statement said.
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If the EOI from Kempsey Shire Council and Busways is successful and Kempsey Shire is chosen as a trial town, it is proposed that vehicles with SAE level 3 automation and above should be used.
When it comes to automated vehicles there are five levels of automation.
Level one involves no automation at all while level two involves partial automation where the driver completes driving tasks and supervises any automated tasks (think all current cars with adaptive cruise control).
Level three involves conditional automation where the drivers role is to be receptive to any system failures and is also receptive to requests to intervene (think all current cars with adaptive cruise control and auto steering).
Level four involves high automation where the driver has no tasks or role while the automated system is engaged.
Level five involves full automation where the driver has no tasks or role at all.
If Kempsey Shire is successful the NSW government will commit 75 per cent of the costs, Busways will commit the balance and Kempsey Shire Council will assist in suggesting possible trial sites, line marking, signage and media/communications.
Submissions for EOI close March 19 with successful trials being notified in May 2018.
