Intermodal connectivity using AV shuttles in Tampere, Finland
About this good practice
Tram 3 serves Hervanta, linking the university and shopping area in the suburb centre to the rest of Tampere city. Autonomous shuttles complement this as a feeder service for a quick and a convenient way to get to Hervanta center from its residential areas, by running two routes: Route 1 (one-way length 1.2 km), with one AV shuttle bus (EasyMile) every 20 mins between the residential areas of Lintuhytti to Hervantajärvi (tram 3’s first & last stop); Route 2, with two AV shuttle buses (Auve Tech) buses every 25 mins connecting the residential areas around the center to the tram 3 stop Hervantakeskus, in Hervanta center, the university & the shopping area. They operated daily from 7 am to 5 pm from January to June 2023, free of cost. Tests were conducted in an operational environment with regular & rush hour traffic, with varied weather, on two-lane suburban streets with tram-shared areas, with a speed limit of 30 km/h. There are also two intersections with tram traffic lights, before roundabouts, to prioritize trams & safety of other road users. The area also has vehicles that have been parked to adequate safety level, but the shuttle buses can operate safely even when these vehicles are parked outside of pre-defined parking zones. The role of City of Tampere as a public authority in the project was to contribute to the advancement of smart mobility solutions through policy development, infrastructure investment, testbed management, international collaboration & monitoring.
Resources needed
As a SHOW project use case under EU Horizon 2020 (Grant No 875530), City of Tampere deployed SAE Level 4 shuttles operated by VTT. Digital infrastructure was upgraded by the provision of 5G &4G/LTE. Users were incentivized with no added fees. Publicity campaigns were conducted to promote the service
Evidence of success
Tampere's AV service testing showed a mean acceptance score of 6.80, with usefulness rated highest (mean = 8) and satisfaction lowest (mean = 6). Urban residents tended to rate lower. Accessibility Working Group emphasized accessibility challenges and discomfort, suggesting improvements like easy access, proper lighting, vocal information, and smooth driving. Recommendations include prioritizing practicality over luxury and city-wide deployment.
Potential for learning or transfer
This innovative practice integrates autonomous shuttle buses with public transport, providing crucial connections and last-mile options, particularly in severe weather conditions. Integrating shared automated mobility in Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) compels authorities to incorporate automation into local planning, ensuring integration of modes, spatial areas, cooperation, public involvement, and monitoring. In Tampere, challenges arise from extreme cold and snowy conditions, requiring specialized route maintenance, including plowing, and addressing LiDAR obstructions. Unique parking regulations necessitate alternate-day route trajectories. As technology advances, integrating automation into mobility planning becomes increasingly vital for permanent, scalable services.