The self-driving bus can be tested on the road: Beijing takes the lead in issuing the policy, and the first batch of 8 vehicles is about to start.

A historic step for self-driving buses!

On March 31, the Beijing Municipal High-level Autonomous Driving Demonstration Zone Office released the “Implementation Rules for Road Test and Demonstration Application Management of Intelligent and Connected Passenger Buses in Beijing’s Intelligent Connected Policy Pioneer Zone (Trial)”.

The detailed rules this time fill the regulatory gap for such ICVs and lay a solid foundation for the large-scale and commercial application of ICVs in new scenarios.

The introduction of this policy also means that self-driving buses can be tested on the road.The first batch of eight self-driving buses will come to Baidu, Qingzhou Zhihang, and SenseTime..

Notably,This is also the first management regulation in China to provide for self-driving buses. Previously, Beijing has issued regulations for unmanned taxis and commercial vehicles.

As self-driving buses begin to be tested, the public will also become more familiar with self-driving vehicles, thereby raising awareness of self-driving cars, and the era of self-driving will accelerate.

1. Management in five aspects 8 self-driving buses were put into operation for the first time

Due to the large number of people and the public nature of the intelligent networked passenger bus, in order to ensure the safety of passengers and the public in the test demonstration,The detailed rules have made targeted management requirements in terms of in-vehicle management, vehicle operation, road testing, insurance protection, product technical parameters, etc..

▲ Intelligent connected passenger bus

1. In terms of in-vehicle management, in addition to the provisionsEach vehicle should be equipped with a “driver” who ensures the safety of the vehicle In addition, it also stipulatesThere should be an in-vehicle administrator to manage the order in the carresponsible for the safety inspection and security of the vehicle.

2. In terms of vehicle operation, the applicant is required to carry out road tests and demonstration application activities in accordance with the routes, stations, operation intervals, first and last shift times and number of vehicles specified in the advance area.

3. In the testing stage, first, the road testing stage is subdivided, and applicants are required to pass the no-load test and simulated load test in sequence before entering the demonstration application stage. Second, in the demonstration application stage, it is required to conduct manned test activities by recruiting test volunteers. The Municipal Autonomous Driving Office will review the recruitment standards for test volunteers, and only after passing the test can the manned demonstration application be carried out.

4. In terms of insurance protection, it is stipulated that the applicant should purchase traffic accident liability insurance or indemnity letter of guarantee of not less than 5 million yuan per vehicle, and purchase passenger seat liability insurance of not less than 500,000 yuan per seat.

5. In terms of product technical parameters, standard specifications have been made for technical parameters such as the length, number of passengers, driving speed and pure electric driving range of the intelligent network-connected passenger bus.Baidu, Qingzhou Zhihang, and SenseTimeIt is estimated that 8 intelligent and connected passenger buses will be put into the road test.

Conclusion: The public travel mode is enriched again

It is reported that in the next stage, the Beijing Autonomous Driving Office will also plan to link up with the Beijing Public Transport Group based on the development of road tests, and explore the addition of urban transportation supplements based on factors such as public transportation network conditions, line length, station density, and travel demand. The line is expected to cover the core business districts, industrial parks and country parks in the area.

As the self-driving bus begins road testing, it will cover multiple scenarios in the future, and the public’s travel methods will continue to be enriched, improving the general public’s familiarity and acceptance of self-driving vehicles.