Vienna has its first green hydrogen plant
The facility will be able to power 60 buses daily
The research project took place in a Gothenburg shopping centre, Source: RISE Research Institutes of Sweden
Swedish research project tried to get closer to answering this question
How will self-driving vehicles interact with pedestrians on the urban streets? That is a valid question that arises with the ever-increasing prominence of AI technology in mobility. It is also a question, which a Swedish research project used as a departing point when testing autonomous delivery vehicles.
The name of the project in question, which took place last month in Gothenburg’ Nordstan shopping centre, was GLAD (Goods delivery during the Last mile with Autonomous Driving vehicles). It does make one glad, indeed, that they opted for that acronym.
On a more serious note, the GLAD project aimed to investigate and create knowledge about trust and acceptance for these types of vehicles in Sweden. The Swedish Transport Administration funded the project. The Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE), Aptiv, Clean Motion, Combitech and Halmstad University conducted the user study.
The purpose of the study was to investigate, in a controlled manner, how pedestrians interact with and experience small self-driving delivery vehicles. Each pedestrian experienced different traffic situations and interpreted the vehicle's intention in the given situation.
The vehicle's driving behaviour was designed to communicate its intention in various ways, such as giving way to a pedestrian. The study lasted for two days and involved study participants from the general public.
“A self-driving vehicle that clearly communicates its intention is expected to be more reliable and easier to accept in society,” explained Azra Habibovic, senior researcher at RISE.
However, there are challenges around this as movement patterns can be interpreted in different ways in different situations.
Clean Motion sees a future where small self-driving delivery vehicles are part of the supply chain in Sweden, especially when it comes to deliveries during the first and last mile.
“For this to become real, it is important that these vehicles behave in an acceptable way in traffic. Being able to test this in a realistic and unique environment in central Gothenburg is fantastic,” said Christoffer Sveder, Director Commercial Operations at the company.
The GLAD research project had a broad approach, from technology and human-machine interaction to business models and requirements for the digital and physical infrastructure. Clearly, this is just a preliminary step and the road to seamless integration between autonomous vehicles and pedestrian traffic will take some time to get internalized by society.
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
The previous mayor was forced out of office following a no-confidence vote in the city council
Modern traffic lights do more than regulate the flow of vehicles at crossroads, they also collect enormous amounts of data
The facility will replace the need to have water supplied by tankers from Valencia
Modern traffic lights do more than regulate the flow of vehicles at crossroads, they also collect enormous amounts of data
The German Aerospace Center in Cologne is looking for volunteers for its next bed rest study
The facility will replace the need to have water supplied by tankers from Valencia
The intervention has affected the mountainous districts of the Catalan capital
Two million euros will go towards the effort that will try to refresh its original splendour
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
The project aims to urge pedestrians to live even healthier lives
The blaze has been dubbed the Danish capital’s own “Notre Dame” tragedy
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team