Shuttle2X -Overcoming Operational Borders of Autonomous Shuttles by Infrastructure Support

Automated shuttles are currently limited to very simple and clear scenarios, e.g. with dedicated lanes, low traffic density and little flexibility in interaction with other road users. Furthermore, the vehicles are always monitored by a safety driver and the systems are highly adapted to a certain route and only suitable for one specific application. This whitepaper presents the general test site architecture, algorithmic challenges and a general overview of the German research project "Shuttle2X". It has the aim to go significantly beyond these dedicated solutions currently found in very isolated environments. This is achieved by expanding the operating area through research and development of new technologies, in particular through a connection to an intelligent infrastructure and selective expansion of automated driving (AD) capabilities as well as a highly reliable and functional safe communication with the infrastructure at dedicated and essential route points. For this purpose, functional algorithms are also being further developed using artificial intelligence (AI) processes by considering fault tolerance in order to enable robust self-driving operation and thus ultimately contribute to a replacement of the safety driver.

I. Introduction

The research and development of uniform mobility system solutions involving automated shuttles and robotaxis make a decisive contribution to achieving future-proof and sustainable mobility concepts. A key factor here is the managing of high complex scenarios, which particularly include urban traffic scenarios with a large number of different traffic participants. It might happen that individual traffic participants are not detected or their intentions are misjudged. So called deadlock situations in which autonomous vehicles require support, can also occur.