Automatic bus shuttle - self-organizing between Leipzig and the BMW terminal (ABSOLUT)

The focus of the research project "Automatic bus shuttle - self-organizing between Leipzig and the BMW terminal (ABSOLUT)" is the development of vehicles and their exemplary use for the test route from the S-Bahn station Messe to the BMW plant with local driving speeds and a high degree of automation. The concept will be integrated into the transport services of the Leipzig public transport company in the future. In addition to the testing and approval of the vehicles, the object of development is also the pilot operation in public areas to test various deployment concepts. This includes a 24/7 or "on demand" service, a booking and information interface developed with the users, the establishment of and networking with a control center.

The goal of the vehicle development is to provide two different electrically driven vehicle types, a Peoplemover EasyMile EZ10 2nd generation and a VW e-Crafter converted into a minibus, for automated operation in public transport at up to 70 km/h local operating speed.

A particular challenge in the research work is the approval of both vehicle types. Both vehicles will be equipped with extensive sensor networks and associated computing technology with a high level of redundancy to record and evaluate traffic and environmental conditions. In addition to cameras, lidars and radars will be used. Based on their specified arrangement, orientation and installation situation, the respective adapters and panels for connecting the sensors, cameras and antennas to the supporting structure have been designed and manufactured.

To ensure the targeted top speed and the associated higher dynamic loads on the EZ10 vehicle structure, new suspension with an increased track width were developed and constructed. The designs of the two sub frames at the front and rear axle are based on extensive simulation calculations of both the operating loads and the tipping load case relevant for approval. For cost reasons, the suspension components used were mostly standard components from different manufacturers or vehicle types, but this necessitated the development and production of special adapters, for example for the brakes and wishbones.

In addition, wider wheel arches have been developed and structurally detailed because of the increased track width. Furthermore, the door kinematics are being adapted, as the current movement curve of the two doors collides with the enlarged wheel housings. After investigating different kinematic systems and evaluating the respective conversion costs, a preferred variant was derived, detailed in terms of design and implemented.

Another focus is the design of the workplace for the safety operator. The space problems in the relatively small passenger compartment and, in particular, the field of vision problems resulting from the very wide A-pillars lead to a concept of a standing operator with corresponding fixation. Extensive field-of-view analyses are being carried out to investigate the use of a camera monitor system to reduce the obscured field of view in compliance with approval requirements.

Camera monitor system for safety operator

Further work is being done on continuous technical inspection (CTI), especially for the EasyMile. To this end, risk analyses are being carried out to identify failure-critical components and their impact on system behavior. Based on this, concepts for condition detection and assessment are developed. The subdivision into functions for the approval-relevant hazard analysis is carried out in accordance with ISO 26262 and, as a result, defined functions must be safeguarded for operational safety, for example by means of strength verifications, the use of approved components and monitoring by means of CTI.

Further information on the overall project can be found at:
https://www.absolut-project.com