Testbed for electrified autonomous waterborne public transport
The project clarified the potential and assessed resources needed for an open shared testbed where innovative solutions within electrified and autonomous waterborne public transports can be tested and developed.
Testbeds can be important pieces for the transformation of the Swedish transportation system and, in addition to access to a physical and digital infrastructure, can offer a collaborative environment for public, industry and research actors where knowledge and experience can be shared and put into practical application.
Primarily, the project evaluated and analyzed the possibility of creating a joint, open testbed for urban waterborne transport operating on Göta älv and in the Gothenburg archipelago, but the intended testbed could also be applicable for innovative solutions in other parts of sea traffic. The project identified and estimated what resources are needed and what key questions needs to be solved or approached to be able to launch a testbed. Some of the issues that were addressed involve infrastructure, mobility patterns and legal aspects.
The project, which was run as a feasibility study, compiled and analyzed a number of existing studies, such as an investigation of the Göta älv in Gothenburg and travel habits surveys, to identify the optimal set-up and to gain the know-how to establish a testbed in the best way possible. The study will covered aspects including urban development, real estate development, public transport needs, energy and power supply, mobility needs and existing regulations. The project focused its work within two work packages:
WP1: Electrification & Infrastructure
The work package evaluated, from a real estate and urban development perspective, available alternatives for the placement of a quay that can house the central components of the testbed. A cohesive quay engaging passengers, other maritime traffic, infrastructure and with flexibility for continued development and expansion. Important aspects to take into account were, for example, the nature of quays, access to the power grid, the possibility of floating docks, charging infrastructure and the design of stops along the route. Gathering information from other cities, public transport authorities and ship suppliers was also an important input to the evaluation.
Overall, the work package has produced a decision-making basis for the location of quays in the Frihamnen area with described resource and investment needs as well as potential for tests of conversion to both electrified and self-driving traffic on urban waterways.
WP2: Mobility - behaviour, policy & business models
The work package evaluated, from a traveler and service provider perspective, conditions and requirements for alternative ferries on waters close to the city. A specific area that was investigated is electric, autonomous ferries and what positive effects they may have on the city and its inhabitants, including reduced emissions, fewer car transports, tying different city districts closer to eachother and an increased use of active mobility solutions such as walking and cycling. In order to investigate possible benefits and sustainable business solutions, the work package use co-creation as a tool to get perspectives from travelers, suppliers, operators and service providers. The system perspective was at the center of the work package, but investigating how it can be possible to get travelers to want to use autonomous ferries and change their travel habits to more sustainable alternatives, will also get a lot of focus.
The work package also addressed policy-related challenges.
Results
Electrification of public transport on water is taking place on a smaller scale and within the next few years we will see that some major contracts for public transport fully or partially move towards electrification. However, the pace is lower in comparison with bus traffic and a large part of the challenges lie in larger investments in ships and infrastructure as well as predicting the development of future regulations. Ships have a longer lifespan than buses and although the financial threshold may be lower for innovative, smaller ship types, it is not clear how they should meet existing traffic. The possibilities lie in the new solutions' energy efficiency, flexibility and that different degrees of automation can facilitate both new and existing vessels.
In in-depth studies of boat passengers in Gothenburg, the acceptance of electrified and automated ships is judged to be relatively high and the focus is rather on achieving time efficiency in transport as well as simplicity in use and ticketing systems. Integration into the existing public transport network and ticket system/tax financing is highly valued. As is often the case in public transport, there are requests from travelers for more links than funding allows.
If cities and/or port authorities take a comprehensive approach to make available potentially attractive ferry locations that can be operated with simpler, costeffective (mobile) floating docks, it would open up opportunities for testing and developing ships and traffic. This, in turn, could support urban development where more energy- and time-efficient journeys are achieved, a "unit" that can stimulate a movement of travelers from car to public transport and further to walking/cycling in combination with transport over water barriers.
Time period
February 2023 - February 2024
Partners
Chalmers University of Technology, CPAC Systems, Ericsson, City of Gothenburg Stadsmiljönämnden, Hyke, Lindholmen Science Park, Styrsöbolaget, Volvo Penta, Västtrafik, Älvstranden Utveckling
Funding
The project is funded by the Swedish Energy Agency.
Contact
