Autonomous driving in Germany: The KIRA+ project is intended to save public transport

Germany has legally made autonomous driving possible, but progress is slow in everyday life. While driverless robotaxis are on the road in Phoenix, San Francisco and Shanghai, there are still carefully planned pilot projects in this country. This is difficult. But there is no reason to downplay the technology. Especially in local public transport, it can help where the current system reaches its limits: in sparsely populated regions, at off-peak times and in view of the growing shortage of drivers.

This is what KIRA+ stands for. The Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV), Deutsche Bahn and the vehicle developer HOLON, which specializes in autonomous mobility, want to pave the way for a model region in which driverless shuttle buses are part of the regular offering. Trips are scheduled to begin in parts of Darmstadt and the Offenbach district this year. KIRA+ builds on previous tests in Langen, Egelsbach and in the north of Darmstadt. On-demand vehicles that can be ordered via an app were tested there.

The promise is particularly great where the classic public bus can no longer be operated sensibly. In the RMV, more than 40 percent of the drivers are older than 55, and young talent is difficult to attract. A small electric on-demand bus that is ordered via an app and bundles travel requests could close gaps that would be too expensive to operate with rigid routes.

KIRA+ is still an attempt. Security personnel remain on board and a control center monitors operations. This is not evidence of failure, but rather an expression of a sensible transition phase. A technically convincing vehicle must first become a reliable transport service. The app has to work, the waiting times have to be right, and the vehicles have to remain available even when demand fluctuates.

That is why politicians should not treat KIRA+ as a promotional event. The project is a component of public services. It deserves more vehicles, longer operating times and rapid evaluation. Above all, there is a need for model regions in which larger fleets can be tested in everyday life. The Rhine-Main area would be suitable for such large-scale experiments; as a densely populated metropolitan region with strong centers, extensive surrounding areas and significant traffic problems. Only then will it become clear whether more mobility will be achieved at reasonable costs and whether public transport will become more attractive.

Germany is making slow progress with autonomous driving. This is understandable given safety and liability issues, but given the shortage of drivers in public transport, it is not acceptable in the long term. KIRA+ combines necessary caution with practical courage. If reliable experience emerges from Darmstadt, Langen, Egelsbach and the Offenbach district, driverless shuttle traffic could soon help where there are problems with public transport today. The future will not come with a speed of 130 km/h, but initially with five seats, a wheelchair space and an app.