Autonomous Bus Service

CAVForth is the world’s most ambitious autonomous vehicle pilot, featuring full sized autonomous buses operating at AV Level 4 autonomy. Fusion is leading a consortium of partners to build, test and deliver a scheduled service over a 30 mile route with five autonomous buses.Working closely with; Stagecoach Group, Alexander Dennis, Transport Scotland, Napier University and the Bristol Robotics Lab we are on track for the first test runs in 2021.

Alexander Dennis have built five bespoke E200 43-seater buses, equipped with the latest Fusion Processing CAVstar sensor and control system which will provide true AV Level 4 autonomy to the vehicles.

As part of the CAVForth Project the partners are putting together a comprehensive safety case which includes the key domains: Autonomous Drive System, Vehicle, Infrastructure and Operation. The safety case takes account of the relevant standards including ISO26262 Functional Safety and ISO21448 Safety Of The Intended Functionality (SOTIF), PAS1880,1881,1882 and 1883 whilst also taking account of the latest developments in Cyber security and emerging standards relating to autonomous vehicles.

Developing A Robust Service

The partners developing Project CAVForth are:

Fusion Processing Ltd - Project lead and automated drive system provider
Alexander Dennis Ltd - vehicle manufacturer
Stagecoach Group Plc - fleet operator
Transport Scotland - highways management
Edinburgh Napier University - community research
Bristol Robotics Laboratory, UWE - simulation

Starting in the second half of 2022, the autonomous bus service will operate on the trunk road network from the Ferrytoll Park and Ride facility in Fife, across the Forth Road Bridge Public Transport Corridor, to Edinburgh Park.

Travelling mostly on motorways controlled by Transport Scotland, the single deck autonomous buses will be required to safely interact with other trafﬁc in a live road environment, negotiating junctions and bus stops while carrying fare-paying passengers at speeds of up to 50 mph.

As a partner in Project CAVForth and roads authority for most of the route, Transport Scotland will:

design and implement infrastructure measures required to support the scheme, undertake liaison and relationships with local roads authorities and use the facilities of the Trafﬁc Scotland National Control Centre at the south end of the Forth Road Bridge to monitor the trial in live time, provide incident management response if required, and facilitate education, project information and the dissemination of learning relating to Project CAVForth. Estimated to cost around £6.1m, Project CAVForth is part-funded by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV), delivered in partnership with Innovate UK. It is part of the UK Government’s £100 million Intelligent Mobility Fund, supporting the Future of Mobility Grand Challenge.