Field Operational Tests of Vehicle-Assist and Automation (VAA) System Using Full-size Public Transit Buses

The magnetic guidance technology developed in the past years has been successful and has displayed its maturity through various demonstrations throughout the world. Vehicle-assist and Automation (VAA) technologies have shown significant promise to provide benefits to transit agencies in terms of more efficient operations, cost savings (such as reduced right-of-way cost and travel times, smoother rider, reduce bus maintenance and repairs, and rail-like services) and safety. However, the United States Department of Transportation (US DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) felt that in most cases, full technical feasibility and the benefits have not been quantified. Therefore, they decided that it is necessary to initiate a pilot program to demonstrate the benefits of VAA applications for full-size public transit buses in revenue service.