European Bus System of the Future

After four years of intensive work, project results have been delivered on two different levels: the first is a more fundamental level: the main characteristics of the future bus system (functions, requirements, architecture.) and the main strategic performance indicators to assess its quality. This part was based on an exhaustive inventory of needs from all the public transport user categories, and performed with 23 of the project partners – operators, manufacturers, suppliers, and associations – the whole value chain. The second level consists of tangible solutions, some of them ready to use today.

• The EBSF Vision was developed
  This is a handbook for authorities and operators on how to implement attractive and efficient new generation of bus systems

The following four prototype vehicles have been put to the test by partner operators in different cities across Europe:

• Irisbus Iveco – Rome
  Raising the comfort of passengers, even at peak travel times, improving the driver's workplace to better address health and safety issues, and enhancing the remote maintenance system are the main objectives of the user case in Rome. On board the demonstrator developed by Irisbus Iveco, the number of seats available to passengers depends on the effective passenger flow. Several tests have allowed for the different combinations of seat arrangements to be verified, together with a limited number of passengers, to ensure correct flow during the bus services. In particular, special consideration has been given to the driver workplace, with modifications designed to improve security and safety aspects, and to encourage a simpler and more intuitive driving style.
• Evobus – Bremerhaven
  The new Citaro demonstrator bus has been running to highlight ways and means of reducing the existing physical and psychological constraints of using buses. Special lighting elements have been installed to show passengers the best spots to board, and so to avoid congestion at the doors. And to distinguish between occupied and unoccupied seats and reduce the time spent searching for a free place, the internal layout includes ceiling lights. In addition, the project has provided an advanced IT and communication system to achieve better reliability (which has also been retrofitted to buses already in service).
• MAN – Budapest
  Budapest's 18.75-metre long MAN Lion's City GL articulated bus has five wide doors for easy
  

  Strategy targets

  Innovating for the future: technology and behaviour: Integrated urban mobility