Terhills tourist site launches self-driving shuttles
Visitors to the Terhills tourist site in Maasmechelen can now use five self-driving shuttles, the first fully autonomous transport system in Belgium. At peak times, the shuttles will be able to carry more than 200 passengers per hour.
A pilot project with two self-driving shuttles was launched at the site in 2022. The vehicles followed a trajectory of 4.5km and stopped at all major tourist attractions. After a positive evaluation, all parties involved, including investment company LRM, Terhills and its on-site partners, have decided to officially launch the project. From this week , five self-driving shuttles will transport visitors around the site without a steward.
Terhills covers an area of approximately 356 hectares in Dilsen-Stokkem and Maasmechelen, on the edge of the Hoge Kempen national park.
In recent months, optimisations have been made to the trajectory of the shuttles and a depot has been built where they can be maintained and charged. The shuttles can carry 12 passengers at a time and are accessible for wheelchair users. All visitors will be able to use them free of charge.
Minister of Mobility and Public Works Lydia Peeters tried one of the shuttles on Wednesday. “Innovation and sustainability are the keywords for the future and innovative applications in mobility boost the economy and prosperity,” she said.
#FlandersNewsService | A self-driving shuttle at Terhills © BELGA PHOTO MARC DIRIX
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