QUEENSLAND'S first full autonomous vehicle trial has come to an end in the Redlands, with the little yellow smart shuttle no longer running on Karragarra Island.
The six-month trial was launched in November by Redland City Council and RACQ but was cut a couple of weeks short in late March due to COVID-19.
The EasyMile EZ10 Smart Shuttle had six seats and standing room for six more people, and travelled up to 20km/h.
With the technology in its trial stages, an operator had to be in the bus while it was in motion.
Some said the trial was a waste of money that could be better spent on improving island roads.
They questioned the practicality of the vehicle, which had a small capacity and a limited speed and route.
Some were excited to be able to contribute to autonomous vehicle research, and others appreciated the novelty of riding a bus without a driver.
Redlands mayor Karen Williams said the trial would help pave the way for innovative transport in the Redlands.
"As a city of islands with rural and urban communities, we know the Redlands Coast faces a number of transport challenges," Cr Williams said.
"The Southern Moreton Bay Islands in particular have been poorly serviced by public transport.
"Due to its small population and low traffic environment, Karragarra Island was the perfect site for this Queensland-first test of how an autonomous vehicle would perform in a live traffic environment."
It was the first long-term trial of the autonomous vehicle in Queensland.
The results of the trial would be used to investigate other routes for the vehicle.
RACQ's Rebecca Michael said that the University of the Sunshine Coast had been engaged to complete a research project looking at how the residents had interacted with the vehicle and community expectations of autonomous vehicles.
"The trial was a catalyst for greater understanding by key stakeholders and the wider community about the role autonomous vehicles can play in an improved, integrated transport system," Dr Michael said.
Cr Williams said over the course of the trial, the bus travelled more than 1400 kilometres and carried about 850 passengers.
"We will now work with RACQ and other stakeholders to investigate other potential routes where the vehicle can be deployed to continue testing the technology and building a business case for increased use of such technology," she said.
Did you try out the driverless bus? What did you think? Send your thoughts to news@redlandcitybulletin.com.au.
