20 pilot sites across Europe, 80 automated vehicles, and more than 150,000 passengers—these are the key figures of the EU-funded SHOW project (SHared automation Operating models for Worldwide adoption). Since 2020, SHOW has been dedicated to researching and testing various aspects of cooperative, connected, and automated mobility (CCAM). In September 2024, the project concluded with a final event in Tampere, Finland. SHOW covered a wide range of research areas, including advancements in vehicle hardware and software, recommendations for regulatory frameworks and business models, impact assessments on society and the environment, and the development of training programs for the public transport sector. The project piloted various use cases under real-world traffic conditions, generating valuable insights for the future deployment of automated mobility solutions.
In Austria, SHOW marked a milestone with the deployment of an automated shuttle fleet for the first time. Project partner SURAAA introduced a fleet of three automated shuttles in Klagenfurt, operating across three routes and available via an on-demand booking app.
Additionally, in Graz and Salzburg, under the leadership of Virtual Vehicle and Salzburg Research, automated vehicles were tested at higher speeds of up to 50 km/h—a significant step toward seamless integration into mixed traffic environments.
Troughout Austria, seven automated vehicles transported 11,000 passengers and 203 packages, with consistently high passenger interest. This was particularly evident in Carinthia, where extensive citizen engagement activities were implemented, including outreach to kindergarten groups, senior citizens, emergency services, and policymakers.
Austrian Mega Pilot Final Event on 23 July 2024 © AustriaTech/Hude
To enhance the insights gained from pilot operations, a group of "Supertesters" was introduced. This dedicated user group visited the Austrian pilot sites to compare different deployment scenarios and vehicle types. Their input contributed to a deeper understanding of user experience and system performance across locations.
SHOW has been a significant step forward in shaping the future of automated mobility in Europe. The project delivered critical insights into operational strategies, with a primary focus on integration into public transportation systems.
One of the key findings was that while automated mobility holds great potential, further technological advancements are required to enhance vehicle reliability and ensure seamless public transport integration.
