Guangzhou to Launch 6 Self-Driving Operation Demonstration Lines with 50 Self-Driving Buses
On Monday, Guangzhou, the third largest city in China after Beijing and Shanghai, passed an operation plan for self-driving trial lines. The plan includes 6 lines and will put 50 self-driving buses in operation. The municipal government also put forward measures and work requirements that would guarantee operational safety.
The plan will be deployed in stages and will be located in Zhujiang New Town, Pazhou artificial intelligence and digital economy pilot zone, Canton Tower, Yuzhu software CBD headquarters and other areas in Guangzhou.
The state-owned Guangzhou Public Transport Group will purchase 50 self-driving buses and a set of vehicle remote management center platforms through a public auction, as well as pay the operating expenses for the first year. According to the plan, the accident rate of self-driving buses has to be lower than that of normal buses by 90%.
In terms of ensuring operational safety, Guangzhou Public Transport will prepare a production operation plan for the six lines within the project, to determine the terminus of each line and and the location of the stations, the service time required for each of the different lines, and finally, the departure intervals and tariffs and fees to be collected. The company will clarify the line’s operational service requirements and assessment methods and take measures to deal with any possible problems of the new technology. At the same time, a team of onboard security staff will be trained for the six lines and self-driving buses.
SEE ALSO: Baidu Launches Apollo Robotaxi Ride-Hailing Pilot Program in Guangzhou
As of July 15th, Guangzhou has issued test notices to 127 intelligently networked vehicles owned by 10 different firms, including WeRide, Pony.ai, Baidu Apollo, GAC Motor and Didi Woya Technology.
Since the beginning of this year, WeRide, Pony.ai, Baidu Apollo, GAC Motor and other car enterprises have actively participated in the delivery of the required vehicles totaling over 20 self-driving cars and more than 30 unmanned logistics delivery vehicles, which have delivered more than 260 tons of goods and materials.
