Israel launches national project to test driverless public transport

JERUSALEM, April 13– Israel’s Ministry of Transport announced on Wednesday a years-long test operation of the country’s planned driverless public transport system. Israel planned to invest a total of 6.21 million U.S. dollars to build the system, including buses, with the aim to relieve traffic, increase accessibility, and cut emissions, the ministry said.

JERUSALEM, April 13 (Xinhua) — Israel’s Ministry of Transport announced on Wednesday a years-long test operation of the country’s planned driverless public transport system.

Israel planned to invest a total of 6.21 million U.S. dollars to build the system, including buses, with the aim to relieve traffic, increase accessibility, and cut emissions, the ministry said.

The test operation would cover operation models’ efficiency and raise public awareness of auto-tech and safety.

It would be carried out by transport authorities in partnership with more than 600 Israeli startup companies in smart transport as well as dozens of car manufacturers and their suppliers, said the ministry.

In the first phase, the Israel Innovation Authority will select public transport operators to test driverless buses in cooperation with companies developing autonomous vehicle systems.

The companies would perform tests in an experimental field and in operational areas on operational and technological feasibility.

Then, eligible companies will be licensed to operate an independent public transportation service on public roads carrying passengers.

“This means that within two years, Israeli residents will be able to board autonomous buses,” the ministry noted, adding the project will make Israel “a world leader in experiments with autonomous public transportation.” Enditem