The new self-driving, electric shuttle that Brussels Airport is testing is the first of its kind in Belgium and will give airport workers more environmentally friendly transportation over the course of the next three months.
The pilot project is a component of the European Commission’s Stargate program, which aims to create and test solutions for more environmentally friendly aircraft. Leading the effort is Brussels Airport, working with a broad group of 21 partners, including multiple airlines and three additional European airports.
The shuttle has a top speed of 25 km/h and can accommodate eight people plus a steward. According to a press release from airport authorities, passengers may be disappointed to hear that the e-shuttle will only be available for airport employees during the trial period. This is in addition to the current shuttle and bus services on the airport grounds, which assist airport employees in getting around and performing their jobs.
Comprehensive safety evaluations had to be completed prior to the trial period in order for the autonomous vehicle to safely navigate the airport. Additionally, a specific path for the shuttle to follow had to be determined to make sure it wouldn’t conflict with other activities occurring at the European facility. The shuttle will stop at three locations for staff to board and disembark, covering 1.5 km in roughly ten minutes.
Belga claimed that a Brussels Airport spokeswoman stated, “The shuttle bus is completely safe.” “We conducted a comprehensive safety analysis in advance, mapping the location of the site’s key points and creating a route based on that analysis.”
The project is being carried out in collaboration with Ohmio, a company based in New Zealand that specialises in self-driving solutions for complex environments. The shuttle is outfitted with cutting-edge autonomous technology, such as six cameras and sensors that continuously monitor nearby traffic, other road users, and any obstacles.
Arnaud Feist, the CEO of Brussels Airport, hailed the electric shuttle as “a significant step forward in advancing innovative and sustainable mobility at the airport.” Feist also noted that the electric shuttle “aligns with our ambition as an airport operator to achieve zero CO2 emissions by 2030” and that it highlights the hub’s intermodality and dedication to “fostering seamless collaboration between various modes of transport.”
According to the airport, staff opinions on the mobility option “in terms of safety, comfort, and other factors” will be among the performance metrics used to gauge the trial’s success. The airport’s cutting-edge 5G network may enable future advancements such as remote vehicle operation.