The RIAMO project (Rural Communities enabled for integrated automated mobility) aims to implement an efficient automated on-demand shuttle service, specifically targeting rural areas with limited public transportation access. Residents in these regions often rely on private vehicles due to insufficient transit options. The project is designed to improve connectivity between rural communities and higher-tier public transport networks, providing more accessible and sustainable mobility solutions.
A booking platform and an advanced route planning system were developed as key components of the automated on-demand service. The booking platform enables employees of selected companies to request a ride, allowing them to schedule an automated vehicle to a designated stop. This system ensures that only stops with active passenger requests are served. For the pilot phase, the Digitrans eVAN, an automated test vehicle with a seating capacity of six passengers, is being used. Due to current regulatory requirements, a safety operator remains in the driver’s seat to intervene if necessary.
In late August 2024, route setup commenced with the automated eVAN test vehicle in preparation for the upcoming trial operations. In addition to deploying the booking platform and route planning system, an automated charging solution for the electric automated vehicle was integrated. This ensures that the vehicle can be recharged without human intervention when needed.
The objective of RIAMO’s first test phase was to establish seamless connectivity between the Südpark Pichling business district and key transport hubs, including Pichling Westbahn station and the solarCity tram stop, through a flexible and sustainable mobility service. The pilot phase ran from September to November 2024, with a second trial planned for spring 2025 in St. Florian.
»The booking and route planning system was developed specifically for the on-demand shuttle in the project and enables the flexible and simple use of the automated vehicle. The experience gained from the test operation should help to improve similar systems in the future.«
Portrait Hannes Watzinger © DigiTrans GmbH
Hannes Watzinger
Deployment Manager, DigiTrans GmbH
The project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology as part of the call ‘Regionen & Technologien 2022’.
