Stagecoach East has begun rolling out intelligent speed-assistance (ISA) technology to automatically regulate speed on its Busway service in Cambridgeshire.
Following a partnership with Volvo Bus, who developed the software, the technology will limit the speed of vehicles entering speed safety zones along the route.
It is the first system in the world to automatically limit vehicle speed via the retarder on a guided busway.
The Cambridge Guided Busway, which opened in 2011, is the longest busway in the world and carries three million passengers a year between Cambridge, Huntingdon and St Ives, with two guided sections making up 16 miles of the route.
The technology has already earned Stagecoach East an award for Best Use of Technology (up to 150 vehicles) at the 2022 routeone awards.
Terry Absalom, Engineering Director for Stagecoach East, says: “Our number one priority is the safety of local people, which is why we have worked tirelessly over the last two years alongside our partners at Volvo Buses to develop and adapt this innovative system for use on our Cambridge Busway.
“This is the very first time that intelligent speed-assistance technology will be used in the UK to automatically reduce a vehicle’s speed using the vehicle’s retarder and we are very proud to be the first bus operator in the world to launch this system on a guided busway setting.
“We have provided extensive training for our drivers and look forward to the prospect of having this technology rolled out to other bus operations in the future. We will continue to embrace new technologies and invest in innovative systems such as this one to ensure the safety of our passengers, drivers and other road users.”
Mr Absalom explains how the system works on the video below. GPS is used together with geofencing to detect when a vehicle passes into a new speed limit zone. The system uses the gearbox and throttle to slow the vehicle and the driver does not have the control to accelerate above the limit.
Cllr Alex Beckett, chair of the Highways and Transport Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, adds: “I’ve seen this new technology in action, and I’m pleased Stagecoach has fitted their buses with this new intelligent system. I look forward to it being rolled out across the Guided Busway.”
Stagecoach East says the system will have flexibility to cope with numerous and different speed safety zones and add that it will reduce the risk of accidents.
Domenico Bondi, Managing Director of Volvo Bus UK & Ireland, says: “Seeing this project go live is testament to the close partnership working we have enjoyed with the team at Stagecoach East, which has seen us successfully test and now roll out a unique digital service which will help to considerably improve road safety.
“We see this level of technology as being key to creating smoother and safer urban transport for the future, and it’s an integral part of what we can offer to customers as one of the world’s largest manufacturers of commercial vehicles.”
