In numerous field tests nationwide, researchers and municipalities are investigating the question of whether autonomously driving buses are suitable as a means of transport of the future – including the research project “Demand-controlled Autonomous Buses” (NAF), which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport and which is being carried out on the west coast of Schleswig -Holsteins is running.

Autonomous buses are well received After thousands kilometers driven and passengers carried in Keitum (Sylt) and in Enge-Sande, researchers draw a positive balance despite some delays caused by Corona. At the same time, the project coordinators reported that after the expiry of the first project extension to 31. December another extension until 30. September is planned.

While the autonomous minibus on the GreenTEC campus in Enge-Sande is already 2018 had started operation, the Sylt bus has been running since summer 2019 and, according to the operator, has been mainly used by tourists and older residents quickly found favor.

According to this year’s acceptance analyzes, the passengers surveyed are extremely positive – both in Keitum on Sylt and on the GreenTEC campus in Enge-Sande, as the project coordinators announced. The high number of passengers confirms the survey results. The Keitum NAF bus covered 7426 kilometers in one and a half years and carried 15. 555 passengers. The Enge-Sander NAF bus drove up to and including November 5300 kilometers and also carried several thousand passengers.

The autonomous Emil minibus of the GreenTEC campus in Enge-Sande has been running fully automatically since October, i.e. without a companion on board who would intervene in emergencies. It transports employees and visitors over four stops at a maximum speed of 15 km / h over the spacious area. The vehicle orients itself independently.

Setbacks due to the corona pandemic The corona pandemic partially affected the project thrown back. Due to the passenger restrictions and protective measures for the Sylt NAF bus, the Sylter Verkehrsgesellschaft decided to cease operations at the end of October 2020. In addition, there were problems with the production of the third mini-bus, which should have been in Lunden (Dithmarschen district) since the summer. It is now expected to be delivered at the beginning of January 2021. A deployment with passengers is planned from the end of February.

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