This week marks the start of several days of tests in real conditions of two autonomous Ohmio shuttles in Esch-Belval, Luxembourg. The tests will be carried out first with a single shuttle and will run between the bus stop at Belval-Université station and the University station, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Signs will be placed along the route to raise awareness among other users of the public road.
Initially, these tests will be carried out “with the sole presence on board of CFL staff,” the railway company said in a press release on Monday. The first customers are expected in 2024 “depending on the progress of the tests and feedback”.
Before these tests in real traffic conditions, the Ohmio shuttles traveled around 4,000 kilometers in a closed circuit, on the site of the Bettembourg-Dudelange intermodal hub.
“The start of tests on public roads marks the reaching of a new stage in this exciting project. Thanks to these tests, we will be able to gain additional experience with this new technology while relying on the vehicle configuration established during the tests carried out beforehand,” declared Carlo Hansen, head of the CFL bus service.
The two air-conditioned shuttles have eight seats and will be able to travel at a maximum of 25 km/h. The commercial entry into service provides for a 2.3 km loop covering four stops in Belval.
