Three phase trial

Phase 3: North Coast Regional Botanic Garden

Phase 3 began in February 2020 and is currently operating inside Coffs Harbour’s picturesque botanic gardens.

The phase will offer plenty of opportunity for growth and development as the technology is tested through a range of use cases and is set to be the most exciting phase of the trial yet. The botanic gardens offers a closed environment for the project team to further test features of the vehicle while all abilities, young or old, can enjoy having a ride. For the first time in Australia, ground based localisation (using road markings) has been used to provide a robust GPS signal for the vehicle.

Passengers are asked to fill out a pre-ride and post-ride survey as their ticket onto the vehicle. Collecting passenger perceptions on driverless technology enables the project team to gain a broader understanding of how these vehicles can complement the current regional transport network and in what capacity.

The vehicle operates Mon-Tue and Thu-Sat, 9am-5pm. The phase has four stops along the way where passengers can get out and explore the gardens.

Phase 2: Marian Grove Retirement Village

Phase 2 operated in Marian Grove Retirement Village to test a more complex environment and the ability of AVs to address various mobility needs.

Marian Grove – part of the Sawtell Catholic Care of the Aged organisation – is home for 68 to 98-year-olds and provided a valuable test case to understand the mobility needs of an older community.

The neighbourhood provided a low speed, light traffic, private area to test new functions of the vehicle – such as on demand capabilities through the use of the BusBot app, powered by app developer Via.

Community participation was essential to some of the lessons we aimed to learn in Phase 2 such as how the vehicle met various mobility needs, how an older community interacted with the technology, and how the community accepted driverless connected technology as a feasible transport option.

Phase 1: Northern Breakwall, Coffs Harbour

Phase 1 operated at the Coffs Harbour Marina, travelling along the Northern Breakwall to Muttonbird Island.

The Northern Breakwall offered an ideal testing location for our first phase as it’s a high profile and controlled environment for local residents and tourists who were able to experience the vehicle and participate in the trial. The vehicle operated at slow speed along the Northern Breakwall on a shared path with pedestrians and cyclists. 30 trips per day were made in Phase 1, 6 days a week.

Phase 1 BusBot design through Gumbaynggirr Wajaarr collaboration

The BusBot project recognises the Gumbaynggirr Wajaarr (Country) as the traditional owners in the Coffs Harbour region. Muttonbird Island is of significant important to the Gumbaynggirr Wajaarr people.

Out of respect, we have taken an approach to immerse the BusBot vehicle into the local landscape, creating an experience where the vehicle technology is in the background, not the focal point.

Through the social enterprise and commercial arm of the Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance, we worked with the National Aboriginal Design Agency (NADA) to design the BusBot livery for Phase 1 of the trial. This partnership resulted in an amazing collaboration with Coffs Harbour High School, where 11 young Aboriginal artists participate in an art workshop facilitated by two local Elders.