Since early September, route 178 between Petuelring and Freimanner Hölzl has served as the test route for the automated MAN Lion’s City 12 E. Specially trained test drivers from MAN and Münchner Verkehrsgesellschaft (MVG) accompany the 12-metre bus. Safety drivers remain on board throughout the project and can take control of the vehicle at any time. “With the first test drives on the route, we have left the controlled environment of our factory site and are bringing our system into real urban traffic. This is a hugely important step towards automated urban mobility,” says Barbaros Oktay, Head of Bus at MAN Truck & Bus.
“Route 178 offers ideal conditions for test operations. It combines a range of traffic situations, such as main roads, 30 km/h zones, park areas and underpasses,” adds Veit Bodenschatz, Head of Bus Operations at SWM and MVG. This followed an extensive test programme on the MAN site, ranging from electromagnetic compatibility to the validation of all functions of the driving system. On this basis, TÜV carried out the technical inspections, and the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) granted the operating permit. “This means all regulatory requirements for test operations in Munich road traffic have been met,” says Dr Michael Roth, Head of Bus Strategy and Product Strategy Bus at MAN.
