MaSh-D
Feasibility analysis of an autonomous shuttle service in Darmstadt's public transport system from a technical and transportation science perspective
Duration: 07.2025 – 06.2026
Funding Organisation: Forum Interdisziplinäre Forschung (FIF)
Project team
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Steven Peters, Institute of Automotive Engineering (FZD)
Prof. Eva Kaßens-Noor, Ph.D. , Institute of Transport Planning and Traffic Engineering
Dr.-Ing. Melina Lutwitzi, Institute of Automotive Engineering (FZD)
Project description
The project MaSh-D aims to investigate the feasibility and integration of autonomous shuttle services into public transport (PT) in Darmstadt. Aligned with the overarching goal of reducing urban congestion and promoting sustainable mobility, the project seeks to address the key challenges of technical implementation, customer acceptance, and economic viability in combination. Through interdisciplinary collaboration between transportation planning (FB13) and (automated) vehicle technology (FB16), the project will outline the interrelationships between the three areas, conduct a multidimensional feasibility analysis and develop a roadmap for the future integration of shuttle services into the Darmstadt PT network. In addition to carrying out user studies in public transport, a cooperation with HEAG mobilo GmbH will be conducted for economic issues.
The project enables paving the path for long-term partnerships between the two departments, strengthening Darmstadt's position as a digital city and generating societal benefits through improved public transport accessibility and sustainability.