RACQ launches Smart Shuttle trial on Gold Coast streets

The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) has launched its first autonomous vehicle trial in the Sunshine State, with its Smart Shuttle rolling out on the Gold Coast.

A joint initiative between RACQ and the City of Gold Coast, the 12-month trial will see the six-seater shuttle operate around Main Beach, operating around real-world traffic at the popular tourist destination.

Initially tested on the Redlands Coast, the Gold Coast trial is the next step towards implementing autonomous vehicle services across the state, allowing RACQ to assess the viability of the transport service, while also gathering data for future infrastructure.

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RACQ's head of public policy, Susan Furze, said the previous trials had shown encouraging results, with the Gold Coast experiment expected to provide further information for the company.

“After two successful trials at Karragarra Island and Raby Bay, we’re eager to better understand how this autonomous vehicle technology can be safely integrated into a busier live-traffic environment and its potential to fulfil future transport needs,” said Furze.

“The RACQ Smart Shuttle will use sophisticated sensors to detect objects and navigate along the route at a maximum speed of 18km/h, stopping at seven places to drop off and pick up passengers every 30 minutes.

“We’ll be monitoring how the vehicle interacts with other road users, as well as existing transport services in the area.

“This is the only vehicle of its type operating a transport passenger service in Queensland, so we’re extremely excited to learn as much as we can from this emerging technology and we encourage locals and visitors to hop on board.”

Operating as a free service between 11am and 3pm, the Smart Shuttle will have a chaperone on-board at all times to answer questions from passengers and ensure the vehicle is operating safely.