Autonomous bus testing in Cluj-Napoca City Hall
In Cluj-Napoca, an autonomous bus was put to the test during the International Summit for Climate Neutrality on May 22, marking a significant stride towards integrating advanced technology into public transportation. The demonstration occurred under the banner "Carbon OFF. Future ON," reflecting the city's commitment to sustainability.
The driverless bus, manufactured by the Turkish company Karsan, completed a tour on a short route, starting from the Radisson hotel, crossing George Cosbuc Street and Splaiul Independenti, passing by Cluj Arena, and returning to its starting point. The vehicle boasts a range of 300 kilometers, can accommodate 25 passengers, and reaches a maximum speed of 25 km/h.
Cluj-Napoca’s mayor, Emil Boc, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of farsightedness and innovation in the city’s development. He noted that as technology advances, cities like Cluj-Napoca can test the technology of the future, particularly autonomous vehicles, which have already been incorporated into some European cities' public transportation systems, albeit on a smaller scale.
Professor Bogdan Varga from the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca explained that the bus navigates a digitized route, making decisions based on integrated traffic signs, traffic lights, and other traffic management systems. He underscored that this technology ensures safety.
As of now, ten such autonomous buses have been delivered to countries like Norway, Germany, Switzerland, and France. Murat Emre Duman, a representative of the Turkish manufacturer, shared that the system has already been operational in Europe for three years, with a presence in 10 European countries and the United States.
Despite readiness in Cluj-Napoca to implement autonomous transport in its public system, the absence of clear legislation in Romania currently prevents large-scale deployment. Mayor Boc revealed that efforts are being made to create appropriate laws, following the lead of other European countries. He expressed confidence that the Romanian Parliament will create necessary legislation to facilitate this technology.
Cluj-Napoca has a history of pioneering green transportation solutions. Mayor Boc recalled that the city has already introduced electric buses, and is working on implementing hydrogen buses, the metropolitan train, and autonomous transport in the future.
(Photo source: Primaria Cluj-Napoca on Facebook)
The autonomous bus, manufactured by Turkish company Karsan, showcases a fusion of automotive and technology, as it navigates a digitized route in Cluj-Napoca using integrated traffic management systems. With the integration of this technology in public transportation, the city is stepping forward towards becoming a hub for sustainable finance and progressive industry practices.
