Recently, Beichen District in Tianjin is gearing up to conduct road tests for its inaugural L4 autonomous bus route, dubbed "Beichen Intelligent Drive Route 1." This development signifies a significant stride in extending autonomous bus services to a broader range of urban locales within Tianjin, following the successful initiatives in Ninghe and Wuqing districts. The Tianjin Public Transport Group has been progressively rolling out L4 autonomous bus road tests in Ninghe, Wuqing, and now Beichen districts, thereby facilitating the transition of intelligent public transportation from isolated demonstrations to widespread deployment across multiple points.

The L4 autonomous buses earmarked for these road tests are exclusively electric-powered, new-energy models. These vehicles are outfitted with an array of multi-dimensional sensing devices, including LiDAR, high-definition cameras, and millimeter-wave radars. Together, these technologies create a comprehensive, 360-degree perception system devoid of blind spots, enabling precise identification of vehicles, pedestrians, traffic signals, and various road signs. In practical operation, these buses are capable of autonomously executing a series of intelligent maneuvers, such as maintaining lane position, cruising at constant speeds, actively avoiding obstacles, decelerating to yield, and docking precisely at stations.

The forthcoming "Beichen Intelligent Drive Route 1" test in Beichen District has garnered considerable interest among local residents. This one-way route, stretching 6 kilometers, extends from Liuyuan Bus Station to the Beichen Campus of Hebei University of Technology, with key stops including Anjin Hospital. It effectively links Metro Line 1 with residential neighborhoods, industrial parks, universities, and hospitals. The autonomous minibus being tested on this route measures 5.5 meters in length, offering a compact and nimble design tailored for narrow community roads and low-speed commercial zones. Inside, the traditional steering wheel, accelerator, and brake pedals have been replaced with 10 seats, USB charging ports, intelligent voice announcements, and a real-time traffic display screen. Apart from Beichen District, the intelligent driving routes in Ninghe and Wuqing districts each boast their unique characteristics. The Ninghe District route, covering 6.3 kilometers one-way with 7 stops, primarily serves residential areas, commercial districts, and vital transportation hubs like Lutai Railway Station. Meanwhile, the Wuqing District route spans 10.5 kilometers one-way with 4 stops, encompassing government offices and sizable residential communities while seamlessly integrating with Wuqing Intercity Station to facilitate efficient intercity and urban passenger transfers.

At present, all three routes are undergoing road testing, operating daily from 9:00 to 15:30, and are not yet open to the public for passenger transport. The Tianjin Public Transport Group is closely monitoring these tests and collecting data, making fine-tuned adjustments based on varying road conditions and traffic patterns to continually refine the intelligent driving algorithms. Once the vehicles demonstrate stable operation, meet all test criteria, and are deemed ready for passenger service, residents will have the opportunity to book rides through the "Tianjin Public Transport" APP.