Self-driving buses could hit NSW roads as soon as next year, with trials for the futuristic vehicles preparing to begin.
The Perrottet government has announced it will invest $5m for an on-road connected and automated vehicle (CAV) bus trial to kick off the beginning of the future on NSW roads.
With driverless vehicles predicted to hit our roads commercially in less than a decade, the government is working to set up a CAV-friendly road network to keep up with the likes of San Francisco, Paris and Singapore.
The state government says the trial will be subject to “robust testing” to ensure the buses will operate safely.
A government spokesperson said where and when the vehicles will pop up will depend on proposals from industry groups, which are being called on to get involved with the first 18-month trial in 2023.
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello is hoping the project puts NSW on the map as a world-leading adopter of CAV technologies.
“Vehicle connectivity and automation are game-changing technological innovations with the potential to sustainably transform the future mobility of people and goods,” Mr Dominello said.
“Globally, these technologies are advancing rapidly and already appearing in vehicles on the market today.”
He said the move would put NSW “in the front seat” in the race to roll out of the new technology.
The strategy will introduce, test and deploy CAVS on the road network, shape policy, prepare the road network ready for the new models and develop physical and digital testing capabilities for the driverless cars.
Part of the project will also include supporting freight services and increasing knowledge of autonomous vehicles.
Metropolitan Roads Minister Natalie Ward said the strategy would “revolutionise the way we travel”.
“The CAV readiness strategy outlines six priority areas focused on integrating this new technology into our transport system,” Ms Ward said.
“This will include working within the national regulatory framework over the next five years so we’re ready for the safe commercial deployment of CAVS in Australia.”
Ms Ward said adopting the new technology would help the state keep up with constituents’ expectations.
“Getting ahead of the game will make it easier to upskill our transport staff so customers have a seamless service when it is officially on our roads,” she said.
Regional Transport and Roads Minister Sam Farraway said NSW had already set several national and international firsts in autonomous vehicle technology.
“This is big-picture thinking – by putting NSW one step ahead it will bring investment opportunities, knowledge and better customer outcomes,” he said.
The state introduced the world’s first fully automated shuttle service in a public setting through the Coffs Harbor BusBot trial, which was completed late last year.
“This builds on what NSW has already achieved through autonomous shuttle trials, partnerships with local universities and investment in the Future Mobility Testing and Research Center at Cudal,” Mr Farraway said.
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