Project AMEISE Phase 3.1 From Waiblingen to Baden-Württemberg – Success factors for holistic scaling

In 2023, the AMEISE project made decisive progress in the implementation of autonomous bus lines, which are intended to strengthen public transport and contribute to the mobility transition. In the successfully completed second phase, the highly automated and emission-free “AMEISE” minibus enabled temporary passenger transport in Waiblingen between the train station and the vocational training center. The insights gained and valuable feedback from citizens were systematically evaluated by the consortium, with a particular focus on technical aspects, accessibility, traffic econometrics, and the conditions for the use of a driverless bus.

With the start of the third phase in September 2023, the results of the previous phases will be further deepened. In addition to the existing test site at Ameisenbühl in Waiblingen, the autonomous minibus “AMEISE” will now also be used in Ehningen to connect the train station with Bertrandt Technikum GmbH. The consortium has successfully launched the project, gained valuable initial insights into the defined research objectives, and pushed ahead with the approval of the vehicle for the new area of operation in accordance with the new legal framework for autonomous driving (AFGBV). The AMEISE project thus not only promotes research into autonomous driving in public transport, but also lays the foundation for recommendations for the strategic introduction of automated shuttles in Baden-Württemberg by 2030.

Further information on the project can be found (only in German) at: https://ameise.wandelgesellschaft.de