STL Line 13

With STL Line 13, the Swiss Transit Lab is taking another step in the development of automated mobility in public transportation. End of April 2023, a pilot line was put into operation in the city center of Schaffhausen between the train station and the Stahlgiesserei development area. Following the tourist application of line 12 at the Rhine Falls, the project will now explore first and last mile connectivity by automated vehicles for citizens of Schaffhausen.

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Mobility

28.04.2023

Timetable

In a first phase, STL Line 13 is operational Monday to Saturday between 10:00 to 14:00. There is no operation on Sundays and public holidays. Short-term timetable changes or cancellations are usually communicated via the website. Open Timetable

 

Current status

Regular operation according to timetable

 

Over the Easter weekend from march 29 to april 1 2024, the "STL Line 13" is out of service.

Right in the heart of Schaffhausen

In the first step, the automated vehicle will travel between the North Station in Schaffhausen and the new Stahlgiesserei district. Where once tons of steel were cast, a new district has been created in recent years. The area, with around 450 flats and plenty of commercial space, provides the ideal setting for the participatory pilot project "STL Line 13". On the route from the North Station to the northern tip of the Stahlgiesserei (Breitestieg), the "STL Line 13" will largely build on existing vbsh stops. Later, the extension to additional routes is envisaged. Open detailed map.

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Projects

28.03.2024

An intelligent voice assistant for the "STL Line 13"

The "STL Line 13" has one more innovative application. From April 2024, Ivy, an artificial voice assistant, will be travelling on the self-driving bus and answering passengers' questions.

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Projects

03.01.2024

Test operation STL Line 13 in the evening

From 8 to 20 January 2024, the STL Line 13 will also run in the evenings between 19:00 and 22:00 in addition to the usual operation over lunchtime.

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Projects

21.12.2023

Year 2023 in Review

On 27 December 2023, "STL Line 13" celebrates its 200th day of operation! At the same time, we look back on an exciting and eventful 2023.

First use of dual-mode technology on Swiss roads

In 2019, the Swiss Transit Lab launched the first pilot operation with a self-driving bus on Line 12 at the Rhine Falls, integrated into the public transport network of Verkehrsbetriebe Schaffhausen vbsh. With this experience and the knowledge gained through the project, the STL and its project partners are now going one step further: With STL Line 13, an automated vehicle (start at level 3 with target level 4) with dual-mode technology will be used in a pilot project for the first time in Switzerland. Dual-mode technology means that a commercially available vehicle - in this case a Toyota minibus with electric drive - is equipped with sensors, actuators (drive-by-wire) and corresponding control software for automated driving.

Projekt Linie 13 Stahlgiesserei

An application object for research and development

The aim of the new project is to gather experience for the expansion of the first and last mile and to develop this service together in dialog with passengers. At the same time, the vehicle is an application object for further technologies, services and business models related to automated driving. It offers interested companies and researchers the opportunity to deploy their own technologies on the vehicle and thereby gain valuable insights for their use and further development. Various discussions are underway for such application projects.

Questions and Answers regarding Line 13

Does the bus drive fully autonomously?

No, that is not yet technically and legally possible. That is why we are talking about an automated bus and not an autonomous bus. Officially, the bus is at SAE level 3 of 5, which means that the bus can perform all driving tasks independently, but in unexpected situations a driver has to take over.

 
 
 

What's the average speed of the bus?

The bus travels at a maximum of 30 km/h in both manual and automated modes.

 
 
 

How does the bus recognise its environment?

The bus is equipped with 6 LiDAR devices (2 for long distances and 4 for short ones) that scan the environment in real time using lasers and create a three-dimensional model of it. The bus thus "recognises" not only its environment, but also all potential moving and rigid obstacles and can thus avoid a collision.

 
 
 

What is so special about the bus?

The special thing about the "STL Line 13" is that the Toyota bus is basically a normal production road vehicle. It has been upgraded with the latest technology so that it can drive specially prepared routes independently. This is called a dual-mode vehicle. Consequently, the bus can be controlled manually as well as run automatically. Such a vehicle has never been used in Switzerland before.

 
 
 

Does the bus run automatically in all weathers?

Yes, the weather has no influence on the driving behaviour and safety of the "STL Line 13". Even in snowfall and heavy rain, the bus should be able to run on the route without any problems. In practice, however, this feature still has to prove itself.

 
 
 

Can the bus also travel any route?

No, all routes must first be programmed. Automated GPS-guided driving is not yet possible.

 
 
 

What is the aim of the "STL Line 13" project?

The aim of the new project is to gather experience for the expansion of the First and Last Mile and to develop this service together in dialogue with the users. At the same time, the vehicle is an application object for further technologies, services and business models related to automated driving. It offers interested companies and researchers the opportunity to use their own technologies on the vehicle and thereby gain valuable insights for their use and further development.

 
 
 

Why does the bus run exactly on this route?

The route between the new district of Stahlgiesserei and the North Station is particularly well suited for the pilot project. The route is mainly used by residents and commuters, who are the most important target group of the project. In addition, there is an existing bus line on the route and corresponding bus stops that can be used. Some of the stops served by the "STL Line 13" are no longer served by the vbsh since the timetable change 2022/2023 and we have the opportunity to integrate them into our experiment.

 
 
 

Why is the route short compared to existing bus routes?

The route length is optimal for this pilot operation. If everything works, it can be assumed that the technology will also prove itself on longer routes. It is possible to extend the route already during the pilot operation. However, this is not planned at the moment.

 
 
 

Why is the bus comparatively small?

In future, smaller vehicles will be used for the development of the First and Last Mile and the associated on-demand services (a comparison with Postauto's "PubliCar" concept suggests itself). In this context, the Toyota Proace is probably at the lower capacity limit. It is therefore conceivable that larger vehicles will be used in a future pilot operation.

 
 
 

How long does the project last?

The duration depends heavily on the course of the project and other developments. The insolvency of the technology partner Sensible4 represents such an external development. Likewise, planned construction sites in the Mühlental from mid-2024. An end date was therefore deliberately not defined.

 
 
 

Who is the driving force behind the project?

The Swiss Transit Lab (STL) is an association and a non-profit private-public partnership consisting of public and private sector actors. The project is supported by the Swiss Confederation, the Canton and the City of Schaffhausen. The security drivers are employees of the local bus company Weder Transport and Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich (VBZ).

 
 
 

There has already been a self-driving bus in the canton of Schaffhausen with the STL Line 12. Why again now? What is different/better this time?

Our new bus is a "normal" car that is being upgraded with the technology for automated driving. This guarantees that we can explicitly deal with the new technology and are not often slowed down by "banal" vehicle problems. Based on this, various sub-projects are being planned, which should bring us one step closer to automated driving (regular operation) on the first/last mile. These include, for example, the integration of the vehicle into a superordinate system for individual retrieval or the recording of information and corresponding business models in the passenger compartment, up to and including the ethical and legal basis. Very importantly, the further development should take place through the participation of the population.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Does the public sector support the project?

Yes, due to the high degree of innovation, the supra-regional charisma and the future-oriented technology, the canton (government council) has decided to promote the project within the scope of its possibilities together with federal funds from the New Regional Policy (NRP). The city (city council) has also spoken out in favour of co-financing the operation.

 
 
 

Where can I get on the bus?

The bus stops automatically at 6 stops on Mühlentalstrasse between the Stahlgiesserei and Schaffhausen station. A stop does not have to be requested. The stops are marked accordingly on the roadway. In addition, bus stop signs indicate the bus stops.

 
 
 

Do I need a ticket?

No, the bus can be used free of charge.

 
 
 

Can I also ride a full lap on the bus or do I have to get off at the final stops?

There are no rules about how long a passenger may stay on the bus. A round trip is therefore possible. However, if there is a large crowd, the security drivers may ask passengers to make room for other interested persons.

 
 
 

How many passengers fit on the bus?

The bus has 4 seats in the back and one seat on the passenger seat. One passenger per seat applies, as there is also an obligation to wear a seat belt.

 
 
 

Ist there a timetable?

In a first phase, the bus will operate from Monday to Saturday between 10:00 and 14:00. In later project phases, an extension or postponement of the operating time is possible and also planned. Updates such as short-term cancellations will be published on the website.

 
 
 

Can I take luggage with me?

The bus is to be tested in as many everyday situations as possible. Consequently, passengers can also take luggage with them, as long as there is room for it and it does not obstruct or disturb other passengers. There is also the possibility of transporting larger pieces of luggage in the luggage compartment.

 
 
 

Can I transport a bicycle on the bus?

No, there is too little space for that.

 
 
 

Are dogs allowed?

Here, too, the principle applies that other passengers should not be hindered or disturbed. The security drivers can decide on a situational basis whether a dog can travel with them or not.

 
 
 

Is the bus wheelchair or pushchair accessible?

No, access to the bus with a wheelchair or pram is not possible. The STL is in contact with organisations for the disabled in order to be able to show greater consideration for people with walking difficulties in parallel or future projects. The regular VBSH line 23 is still available for people with prams or wheelchairs. In addition, the wheelchair taxi service is available throughout the city of Schaffhausen.

 
 
 

How can I support the project?

It's easy: take part in our big acceptance survey! You can access the survey via the website or the QR codes on the passenger panel. Your opinion on buses and autonomous driving is enormously important and helps us further shape the mobility of the future.

You can also contact us directly at info@swisstransitlab.ch.

 
 
 

What is the benefit of autonomous driving?

Autonomous driving brings enormous benefits for society, the environment and the economy. For example, it enables the development of the first and last mile and thus the expansion and flexibilisation of public transport.

 
 
 

What is meant by "first and last mile"?

The First and Last Mile is about better temporal and spatial accessibility through a more flexible public transport service to the doorstep. In particular, remote neighbourhoods and villages as well as people travelling at off-peak times will benefit. With the development of the first and last mile, the gap between individual and public transport is also closed.

 
 
 

What is the SAE level?

The SAE level describes the degree of automation of a vehicle and ranges from level 0 (completely manual) to level 5 (completely autonomous). The bus of the "STL Line 13" starts at level 3, the goal is to reach level 4.

 
 
 
 
 
 

How far has the technology come?

The technology is basically ahead of the law. Technically, test operations at SAE level 4 are already possible today and are already being carried out in private areas. However, the legal framework is still missing so that tests can also be carried out and, above all, approved in public areas. Consequently, pilot projects are currently only permitted with special approval from the Federal Office for Roads and Railways (FEDRO).

 
 
 

Is the bus registered in Switzerland?

The bus has a special permit from the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) for the pilot phase. However, due to the conversion, it no longer has a series approval.

 
 
 

Is there a driver on the bus?

Yes, for safety reasons, a safety driver sits behind the wheel and can intervene in the unexpected case and switch the bus to manual mode.

 
 
 

Do I have to wear a seat belt?

Yes, it is compulsory to wear seat belts at all times. The safety drivers check this regularly.

 
 
 

What do the cameras record?

There is an internal camera mounted on the rear-view mirror, but it is deactivated. The exterior cameras are also not activated and do not make any recordings. No conclusions about the identity of persons or vehicles are possible on the light profile created by the LiDARs.

 
 
 

Why does the bus ride in the bicycle lane?

Overtaking manoeuvres pose an increased safety risk in road traffic. Continuously riding in the bicycle lane can prevent the bus from overtaking cyclists or being overtaken by them (on the right). This increases safety for all road users. The procedure has been agreed with ProVelo and approved by FEDRO as an exception.

 
 
 

Development Timeline

September 1st 2023

100 days of operation

At the end of August 2023, Rhyder had already been in operation for 100 days. The dual-mode technology has proven itself so far; in four months, the STL recorded only two technically-related downtime hours. With this we are now looking confidently to the autumn and winter months.

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April 29th 2023

Start of operation

The first regular day of operation of the "STL Line 13" was on Saturday, 29 April 2023. From now on, the self-propelled minibus will operate between the bus station Bahnhof Nord and the Stahlgiesserei from Monday to Saturday and is free of charge for everyone.

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April 28th 2023

Opening ceremony "STL Line 13"

On Friday, 28 April 2023, the "STL Line 13" was officially opened. The opening event for all interested persons and associations took place at the Stahlgiesserei from 15:00 to 17:30. Around 50 invited guests and residents attended the first official ride.

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March 2023

Road testing

Together with technology partner Sensible4, the "STL Line 13" vehicle is currently being tested on the designated project line in the Mühlental.

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February 2023

Approval by FEDRO

The Federal Roads Office FEDRO and the Federal Office of Transport FOT have reviewed the application for the "STL Line 13" together with the cantonal authorities. In mid-February 2023, the STL received approval for the pilot project with automated driving. This means that automated driving is now permitted on public roads.

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December 2022

Approval process

The application for the exceptional approval to operate in Schaffhausen has been prepared for the attention of the Federal Office FEDRO and was submitted in December 2022. We expect the final approval by FEDRO and the effective start of the STL line 13 as an atomatized bus line in spring 2023.

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August 2022

Vehicle arrives in Schaffhausen

The Toyota vehicle, converted and upgraded by our technology partner, arrived in Schaffhausen in August 2022.

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September 2021

Project announcement

The project was presented to the specialist audience and the media for the first time at the VöV conference in September 2021. A demo vehicle of the designated technology partner Sensible4 was already available for test drives.

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Our project partners and sponsors

Thanks to our partners, we can realize our vision of future-oriented mobility. They are the foundation of our know-how and our success. The project "Line 13" is realized thanks to the support of the following project partners and sponsors.