Following the successful degree of the P:Mover project of the city of Ilmenau, the Thüringer Innovationszentrum Mobilität (ThIMo) at the Technische Universität Ilmenau and the two commercial enterprises Funkwerk Systems GmbH and Ginger Lehmann+Partner GmbH, the experience gained from the use of the highly automated Ilmenau research vehicle is now being incorporated into the next project: The primary goals of the "Mobility Network for Valuable Rural Living Spaces" (MOVEwell) research project are better accessibility between the Thuringian districts, economically and ecologically sustainable mobility concepts, especially for rural areas, and a Thuringian model for sustainable mobility. In fall 2024, The inter-municipal project consortium is coordinated by the European Digital Innovation Hub Thuringia at the Bauhaus University Weimar.
The project is part of an entire project family in which ThIMo is developing innovative mobility solutions for rural areas together with its research and development partners from science, business, public transport companies and Thuringian districts and cities. "With the expertise and technological possibilities available in Thuringia, we want to jointly take on a leading role for autonomous driving in local public transport in rural areas," said Prof. Matthias Hein, Head of the Thüringer Innovationszentrum Mobilität.
The findings from the previous P:Mover project will contribute to this. The research vehicle was trained in highly automated operation on two pilot routes in urban areas until the end of last year. The technical challenges included crossing two traffic light junctions on one of Ilmenau’s busy main roads. In addition to complex traffic situations and intersections, significantly higher speeds of up to 60 km/h are also possible, allowing the vehicle to travel at the usual inner-city speed. Following on from this, the extent to which the vehicle can also be practically integrated into the MOVEwell project is currently being explored.
The Ilmenau campus bus (CAMIL) is also part of the Ilmenau project family. This is the first time in Thuringia that highly automated driving has been integrated into the timetable of a public transport company. In accordance with current legislation, these vehicles initially only offer limited automation functions at low driving speeds for safety reasons. Nevertheless, CAMIL provides valuable insights - not only with regard to scientific and technical aspects such as the electric drive, sensory perception of the driving environment or wireless networking, but also with regard to routine operation and acceptance by passengers. This gain in experience, which is not exclusively scientific, will be just as useful in MOVEwell as the results from the P:Mover project.
"I am very pleased that the Thüringer Innovationszentrums Mobilität is continuing to work intensively on mobility concepts for rural areas and that we can contribute experience from our joint project. This means added value for our citizens, especially in the area of mobility, if today’s research efforts result in practical everyday applications," said Ilmenau’s Lord Mayor Daniel Schultheiß.
TU Ilmenau and the City of Ilmenau launch MOVEwell project to improve accessibility between Thuringian districts
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