At Royal Schiphol Group, we aim to operate the world's most sustainable and top-tier airports by 2050. Part of achieving this vision involves creating a more sustainable, zero-emission ground operation. In line with our aspirations, we foresee a future where, by 2050, our entire vehicle fleet will be replaced by a connected network of autonomous, emission-free vehicles, and all related processes will be automated
Working towards this ambition calls for extensive innovation efforts and implementation of creative solutions. With this forward-looking vision in mind, Schiphol is embarking on a program to put autonomous buses to the test on the airside. This initiative is all about exploring the potential advantages of autonomous transportation within our airport. We're on an exciting journey towards a more sustainable and efficient future.
Our primary objective with this innovative initiative is to validate the technology readiness of autonomous vehicles, ensuring their ability to seamlessly and safely integrate into various airside scenarios. Schiphol is on a mission to showcase the value this new technology can bring to our ecosystem and partners. Currently, RSG is at the helm of bus operations at the airport. Given the vast extension of Schiphol, one of our top priority is to ensure the secure transportation of our staff from security checkpoints to their respective workstations, where they kick off or wrap up their shifts.
At Gate 60, employees from various companies rely on a daily circular shuttle service. This route was selected as the first testing ground, as it's a Schiphol-owned service with a circular path featuring four stops. Here, we can experiment with varying levels of traffic - from bustling peak hours to the quieter times of day, creating an ideal environment for testing.
Schiphol conducted an extensive scouting process to select a vehicle that can adapt to the airport's rigorous demands. The Lift vehicle, developed by Ohmio, emerged as the chosen one. The Lift vehicle represents a state-of-the-art autonomous bus that seamlessly blends advanced technology with top-notch safety features to offer a reliable and secure transportation experience. It has been purposefully designed for autonomous operations, ensuring efficient navigation and smooth interaction within the airport environment.
The Proof of Concept will take place from October 2023 to April 2024. Various trials and experiments will be conducted during this period.
The project does not affect the availability of the existing shuttle service, the new service will be offered to the passengers as an alternative choice. This project won't disrupt the availability of our existing shuttle service. For Schiphol, safety is a top priority, and rigorous safety assessment has been conducted by Safety Advisors to ensure a secure operation of the vehicle. Furthermore, a trained safety operator will be present onboard the bus throughout the entire operation, capable of taking control of the vehicle manually, if necessary, ensuring the safe operation of the vehicle.