The Flinders Express (FLEX) shuttle was South Australia's first autonomous vehicle (AV) trial using public roads to offer a first and last mile shuttle service to the Clovelly Park train station within the Tonsley Innovation District. Flinders University, together with 9 industry project supporters have collaborated to deliver this project in 2018.
Phase 2 of the project will continue to build on the lessons learnt from the initial project and develop new and innovative use cases for FLEX. These new use cases will investigate new operational modes for autonomous vehicles, use vehicle to infrastructure (V2I) communications technologies to improve performance and finally develop a living lab that will in the future serve as a test bed for connected and autonomous vehicles.
Project partners for the Phase 2 trial include: South Australia’s Department for Infrastructure and Transport, Flinders University, RAA, iMOVE with project support from Keolis Downer and tech support from SAGE Automation and Nayva.
FLEX operates 5 days a week. Monday to Friday from 10am till 2pm.
There are 6 stops along the route, connecting various destinations within the Tonsley Innovation District
FLEX operates on a 20min loop during operating hours. You can experience FLEX for yourself by requesting a ride from any of the 6 stops along the track.
FLEX Driverless Shuttle is a NAVYA ARMA DL4 vehicle and embodies the technology and features needed to successfully trial automated vehicles at the Tonsley Innovation District.
The ARMA DL4 incorporates a range of features that address safety and security issues. It has been trialled in multiple locations around the world by manufacturer NAVYA.
Multiple layers of technology maximises the safety of passengers, pedestrians, other road users and the vehicle.
You can read more about the specific features of FLEX in the FAQs section
If you would like to use the C-V2I technology at Tonsley, specifically at the Traffic Signals at Alawoona Ave and MAB circuit, please use this link to find out all the details on how to connect.
FLEX travels within the Tonsley Innovation District stopping at 6 stops, taking approximately 20min to complete the loop.
No, the trial is a project of iMOVE CRC with partners being the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, Flinders University and RAA.
The Driverless Bus is a completely free service provided for the benefit of our community. We only ask you complete a customer survey to help us understand and improve your experience.
Adults and children over the age of 12 months are encouraged to use the bus service. Wait at any of our 6 bus stops to hop on for your ride. For current route, bus stop locations and loop times click here…
Children under the age of 12 months are not permitted to ride in the vehicle.
From 12 months up to 4 years old, children must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or supervisor and be restrained in a stroller or pram which is secured in a rearward facing position by a parent, guardian or supervisor whom is seated.
Children over the age of 4 years old up to 7 years old must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or supervisor and seated in rearward facing seat with their seatbelt secure.
Yes there is an in-built access ramp, and the bus is wheelchair accessible. You may also ask for assistance from the safety chaperone.
FLEX is a NAVYA ARMA DL4 vehicle which is fitted with several features that make it safe:
FLEX will detect that its path is blocked through its long range LIDARS. The vehicle will slow and stop before the obstacle. Depending on the type of obstacle, FLEX may be able to suggest a path to avoid it, or the attendant may need to take control of the vehicle to manoeuvre around the obstacle before FLEX can restart autonomous driving.
Our chaperones welcome passengers and explain how the vehicle and technology operates. They are also available to answer your questions about the bus and are responsible for monitoring the safety of the vehicle and passengers. FLEX has two driving modes – automatic and manual. In automatic mode, the vehicle is self-driven whereas in manual mode, the on-board operator can take control the vehicle.
Our chaperones are also abounding with local knowledge and will gladly offer valuable direction as to what to see, play and do in our region.
Please email us with any queries you may have.
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
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