The AVENUE project, funded under the EU Horizon 2020 programme and successfully completed in October 2022, has marked a transformative milestone in the development and deployment of autonomous vehicles (AVs) for public transportation. Over its four and a half-year duration, the project introduced a paradigm shift in public transport, moving from rigid schedules to flexible, on-demand, door-to-door services, ensuring safety, efficiency, and inclusiveness for all, including those with reduced mobility. The deployment of AVs aimed to reduce private vehicle use, easing congestion and pollution, and lowering operational costs, especially in low-demand areas, demonstrating the potential of fully automated, on-demand shuttle services to revolutionize urban mobility, improve accessibility, and contribute to sustainable transport solutions.
The project’s core focus was the design, development, and validation of autonomous minibuse-based transportation services integrated into public transport networks in four European cities: Geneva, Lyon, Luxembourg, and Copenhagen. AVENUE successfully demonstrated key innovations, including dynamic routing, on-demand door-to-door services, and seamless integration with urban mobility platforms.
AVENUE made several pioneering achievements, including:
Demonstrating on-demand, dynamic routing services that reduced waiting times and offered greater flexibility compared to fixed schedules.
Demonstrating the operational reliability and safety of autonomous shuttles in mixed-traffic urban environments.
Implementing cutting-edge fleet management technologies, optimizing passenger services while reducing energy consumption.
Creating inclusive, accessible mobility solutions that cater to diverse passenger needs, including those with reduced mobility.
Enhancing passenger experience through digital platforms enabling real-time booking and tracking.
Showcasing the environmental benefits of AV fleets by optimizing energy use and minimizing emissions.
Advancing regulatory frameworks and stakeholder engagement to facilitate widespread AV adoption.
Through rigorous testing, stakeholder collaboration, and public engagement, AVENUE provided a clear roadmap for implementing AVs in public transit, proving their feasibility and potential for scaling. Its outcomes significantly advanced the state of autonomous mobility research and contributed to the EU’s vision for sustainable and inclusive urban transport.
AVENUE’s success provided evidence that autonomous vehicles can be integrated into public transport, contributing to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and increased social inclusion. Its interdisciplinary approach considered not only technological and environmental factors but also societal impacts, building public trust in AVs and offering a blueprint for future urban mobility.
