Conference highlight: Adastec provides progress report on autonomous mass transit
ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle Technology Conference

Day 2 at the conference included an update from Cemre Kavvasoglu, product management director, North America at Adastec Corp, on the lessons learned from deploying autonomous bus fleets in the US and Europe, with specific advice and insight into how to deal with adverse weather conditions and testing.

“One of the main challenges of SAE Level 4-capable automated transit bus deployments is the varying weather conditions,” he said. “Depending on where an automated transit bus gets deployed, it is vital to assess the environment’s climate, including extreme weather conditions such as heavy rain, snow, fog and extreme heat. To operate throughout varying seasons, Adastec has undertaken tremendous amounts of testing in various climates around the globe. Furthermore, Adastec has collected vast amounts of data and experience to not only handle a variety of environmental and weather conditions but also operate on different road settings during all four seasons.”

Kavvasoglu suggested several technologies that could enhance performance in poor weather conditions: “Sensor cleaning systems are crucial for maintaining clear sensor visibility by removing raindrops, snowflakes and other debris. V2I (vehicle-to-infrastructure) and V2V (vehicle-to-vehicle) communication systems enable enhanced situational awareness and coordination among vehicles and infrastructure, improving safety and efficiency in adverse weather. Better weather prediction capabilities can also play a significant role in optimizing operations during adverse conditions. By utilizing advanced sensors, communication systems and accurate weather forecasting, automated transit buses can navigate challenging weather conditions more effectively, ensuring passenger safety and reliable service.”

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