A concept for an on-demand public transport system is being developed in the "Schorndrof Real-World Laboratory" project. The main bus and rail routes are supplemented by local buses that can be requested individually and which enable efficient transportation in low-frequency areas and at off-peak times. In order to achieve this, the local buses do not have fixed bus stops, lines or timetables.
At the heart of the concept is the provision of individual responses to travel needs. Communication between passengers, bus drivers and the staff at the control centre is joined up. The DLR is designing appropriate interaction concepts for all participants. The bus drivers have operator terminals specifically designed for giving them access to travel requests and current routes without impeding the task of driving. Passengers can register their travel requests via internet or smartphone. The DLR is helping to design user-friendly interfaces for this purpose and is also testing other booking possibilities for various user groups (e.g. recording travel requests by telephone).
The concept will be set out in greater detail and in more concrete terms during the course of the project. The organisation of operations and communication processes will be taken into account when it comes to the ultimate implementation of the service provision concept on a technical level. A pilot operation will take place in Schorndorf from December 2017.
In real-world laboratories, scientists come together with communities, businesses and citizens to initiate changes in the city itself and reflect upon them.
Schorndorf town council German Aerospace Centre (DLR) University of Stuttgart, Centre for Interdisciplinary Risk and Innovation Research Esslingen University Of Applied Sciences Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund Stuttgart GmbH Knauss Linienbusse Daimler AG