Jürg MICHEL

The topic of autonomous cars and busses is part of innovative new technologies in transportation. Swiss PostBus Ltd started in 2016 the test
“SmartShuttle Sion” to understand the use of autonomous small busses on open roads. The first results and findings of this test are presented.

Biographical note
Jürg Michel is the project leader of the test of autonomous busses “SmartShuttle Sion”, who is realized by Swiss PostBus Ltd, the leading national operator for road-based public transport in Switzerland. Prior to his current position, he worked in different positions as consultant and project manager (in Business Development and Strategy) in different Swiss companies (CFF, Swisscom, University of Berne) in the area of transportation and tourism. He holds a Master in business administration and a Ph.D. from the University of Bern.

Presentation: Autonomous buses on public roads – First findings out of the test “SmartShuttle Sion” 
Urban transport is going through changes which influence bus operators for their future business. In summer 2016 a test of the first autonomous busses on public roads called “SmartShuttle Sion” was started by PostBus Switzerland. Two small busses with 11 passengers are currently driving in the city center of Sion. Until the end of February 2017 more than 16’000 passengers were transported. The speech includes the challenges, the goals and first lessons learned of the test in the Swiss City of Sion and gives a brief outlook from the point of view of Swiss PostBus Ltd. Especially the topics of the practical findings of the test, the acceptance of customers and the consequences for public transportation companies are in focus.