Chen Xueying has become accustomed to taking the autonomous driving bus to and from work every day by clicking on her phone to book in advance. It’s not a scene out of a science-fiction film, but the reality of her life in Rongdong district of the Xiong’an New Area in Hebei province. “It’s safe and free,” the 27-year-old Xiong’an resident said, adding that the bus trip takes just over 10 minutes and is much more convenient than driving to work in rush hour.
The autonomous driving buses are capable of sensing traffic information, such as stoplights, within a 240-meter range. They can respond to sudden situations by braking or changing lanes with a reaction speed 10 times faster than that of a human driver, said Kou Tianhao, from Yuexiang Xiong’an Technology, which operates the vehicles. “It’s a Level 4 autonomous driving bus independently developed by the company, which is currently the highest level of autonomy achieved by such technology in China,” he said. The level of autonomous driving vehicles ranges from 0 to 5, with Level 4 not requiring human intervention and Level 5 classified as fully autonomous.
The buses are equipped with over 20 sensing devices, including laser radar and high-definition cameras, which constantly capture traffic information and then transmit the data to a decision-making central computer. However, a safety officer is onboard to intervene in operations when absolutely necessary, Kou said. About 20 such vehicles are running on routes connecting residential communities, major parks and transportation hubs in Rongdong district. The successful operation of these autonomous vehicles relies heavily on the construction of digital roads. Rongdong is the first district to complete comprehensive digital road construction in Xiong’an New Area, according to the government. Along its 153 kilometers of roads including main, secondary and branch roads, and alleys, have been installed multifunction information poles, laser radars, electronic toll cameras and other sensing devices, as well as supporting intelligent equipment to monitor the roads and transmit and analyze data. More districts including Xiongdong, Rongxi and a startup area will also introduce digital roads, making the total length of such roads more than 500 kilometers in Xiong’an New Area, the government website said.
City traffic data obtained from various sources such as the sensing devices, will be brought together in a unified platform for integration and display. The Digital Road Intelligent Operation Center utilizes big data analysis and algorithms to address problems in traffic management, according to China Telecom Digital City Technology, the operating company. “The center will utilize algorithm models to optimize signal-light timing to improve vehicle movement efficiency and reduce traffic congestion,” said Feng Shuntian, head of the company’s intelligent transportation products division. The center’s data analysis might also help traffic management departments to have a better understanding of traffic flow, and make advance preparations and scheduling arrangements, Feng added.
Digital roads and the intelligent operation center have presented effective solutions for Xiong’an to address traffic problems, one of the drawbacks of “big city malaise” that the area was designed to solve. The establishment of Xiong’an New Area – located about 100 kilometers southwest of Beijing – was announced in April 2017. The flagship project was intended to relieve Beijing of non-essential capital city functions and advance the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. Centrally administered state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have so far set up more than 200 subsidiaries and branches in Xiong’an.
Xiong’an is also attracting business people and innovative companies from around the world. “I see a lot of prospects and opportunities in this city,” said Godsword Chinemerem from Nigeria, who has set up a logistics company in Xiong’an. He plans to ship goods from Xiong’an to African markets via Tianjin Port. Omane Kwakye from Ghana also sees his future in Xiong’an where the cost of living and doing business is more friendly for startups. He plans to bring technological advances to African countries. So far, 16 policy measures have been announced to attract global talent, including top scientists, high-level research teams and new university graduates. Eligible scientists can receive research funding of up to CNY50 million, the China Daily reports.
