The Swiss Transit Lab in Schaffhausen (STL) in the Schaffhausen application region is about to take a big step in the development of automated mobility in public transport. Starting at the end of April, the new STL Line 13 will connect the train station of the city of Schaffhausen with the newly developed Stahlgiesserei district. This will be the first time in Switzerland that an automated vehicle with dual-mode technology will be in operation.

With the "STL Line 13", the STL is testing the use of the latest technologies in public road transport and the connections of the first and last mile. In the pilot operation, the focus is on the development and use of mobility services in everyday life right up to the front door, taking into account the needs of the passengers. The application therefore takes place directly in the center of Schaffhausen between the train station and the newly developed Stahlgiesserei area. The focus is on questions of efficient technical operation as well as social acceptance and participation - all to strengthen the public transport of the future. The trips are always accompanied by a safety driver in the car.

Pilot project "STL Line 13" with dual-mode technology

In 2018, the Schaffhausen-based Swiss Transit Lab in Schaffhausen (STL) launched its first pilot operation with a self-driving bus (Line 12), integrated into the public transport network of Verkehrsbetriebe Schaffhausen vbsh, in tourist applications at the Rhine Falls. Building on this experience and together with an extended circle of partners, the STL is taking the next technological step: The STL is now working with a commercially available Toyota electric vehicle (ProAce Verso Electric), upgraded with sensor and actuator technology as well as software for automated driving from the Finnish startup Sensible4 for dual-mode operation.

The dual-mode technology will set new standards in terms of vehicle availability in automated operation, while also providing recommendations for handling outside the pilot track. The dual-mode technology allows automated driving as well as manual operation of the vehicle. Conventional vehicles can thus be retrofitted accordingly. At the same time as the pilot operation, the "STL Line 13" with the vehicle is an application laboratory for more advanced technologies, services and business models related to automated driving. It offers interested companies and researchers the opportunity to test their own solutions with the vehicle.