RAC Intellibus® Milestones

2016

• The RAC Intellibus® launched with a trial in partnership with the City of South Perth and supported by the State Government. This was the first driverless vehicle to operate on public roads in Australia.
• Awarded Australian Driverless Vehicle Initiative (Innovation): Automated Vehicle Trial, RAC Intellibus®

2016

2017

• RAC responded to the National Transport Commission’s Guidelines for Automated Vehicle Trials  Discussion Paper (199KB).
• RAC provided a response to the National Transport Commission’s Discussion Paper (176KB) on Changing driving laws to support automated vehicles.
• RAC provided a submission (145KB) to the Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources to the inquiry into the social issues relating to land-based driverless vehicles in Australia.

Awarded:

• AIM West Business Pinnacle Awards (Innovation Award): Automated Vehicle Trial, RAC Intellibus®
• Intelligent Transport Solutions (ITS) Australia Automated Vehicle Award: RAC Intellibus®
• Australian Driverless Vehicle Initiative (Innovation): Automated Vehicle Trial, RAC Intellibus®
• Australian College Road Safety Diamond Road Safety Award: Automated Vehicle Trial

2017

2018

Awarded:

• Australian Institute of Traffic Planning and Management Excellence Awards (Best Project)
• Transport Forum’s Transport Achievement Award (Special Mention)

2018

2019

• The RAC Intellibus® visited Busselton giving more than 1,500 locals and visitors the opportunity to take a ride and learn about driverless vehicle technology and it's benefits. The Intellibus route also included the successful navigation of a round-about in autonomous mode.
• RAC Imagine Program™ launched with the support of the City of South Perth. 940 students students participated within the first three months.

2019

2020

• The RAC Intellibus® visited Geraldton for a three-month regional trial giving 1,622 locals and visitors the opportunity to to experience the automated technology of the Intellibus which travelled a total of 1,761.2km and navigated over 7,500 roundabouts in total. RAC also received approval to test and use non-standard traffic management signage related to Driverless Vehicles.
• Also in Geraldton, 448 school students from 19 different schools participated in the RAC Imagine Program™ supported by the Museum of Geraldton and City of Greater Geraldton.
• RAC responded to the National Transport Commission’s  Discussion Paper (244KB), Review of guidelines for trials of automated vehicles in Australia.

2020

2021

• With support from State Government agencies including discussions with various stakeholders and eastern states road agencies, after a successful trial in Geraldton using non-standard traffic management signage, RAC were advised that the proposal to incorporate specific Autonomous Vehicle signage for future and current trials was approved and available to all by Main Roads Western Australia.
• The RAC Intellibus® welcomed its 20,000th passenger onboard.
• The R/evolve sculpture was commissioned - this artwork is a landmark where current and future generations can reflect on and learn about Australia’s unique journey toward vehicle automation, as well as Western Australia and RAC’s world-leading role in championing the next step change in mobility and road safety whilst celebrating South Perth as the location of Australia’s very first public automated vehicle trial.

2021

2022

• The RAC Intellibus® i1 model joined an exhibition of motoring history on display at the Motor Museum of Western Australia.

2022

2023

After nearly seven years operating on public roads, the RAC Intellibus® trial came to an end on 30th June 2023.

The RAC Intellibus® travelled 38,566kms through South Perth, Busselton and Geraldton, giving 28,744 passengers the chance to experience automated vehicle technology first-hand.

After taking a ride on the Intellibus®, 98 per cent of passengers said they could see driverless vehicles operating in WA in the near future.

The trial fostered a better understanding of AV technology, enabling WA to take an informed and leading role in developing initiatives to facilitate, regulate and understand these systems and road safety benefits. 2023