Saxony-Anhalt strives to play a leading role in the development of autonomous and connected driving

Saxony-Anhalt is to become a future laboratory for connected mobility, modern mobility chains and modern concepts in the field of mobility management. "We want our state to play an active role in the field of autonomous and connected driving in the future," emphasized Dr. Lydia Hüskens, Minister for Infrastructure and Digital Affairs, following a two-day conference on "Autonomous & Connected Driving" at the Magdeburg University campus today.

According to Hüskens, the event focused on use cases and perspectives for autonomous driving, especially in rural areas. She emphasized that the conference was able to provide a variety of impulses that will be incorporated into the agenda for autonomous and connected driving in Saxony-Anhalt.

"Especially in the field of public transport, the demographic development presents us with enormous challenges in two respects. On the one hand, we have a shortage of skilled workers, and on the other hand, we want to ensure a stable and attractive, but also economical, public transportation system in the region. Autonomous driving could be the solution," said the minister, outlining a key problem area.

After the first successful pilot projects with automated shuttle buses in Stolberg (Thyra Floh) and in the state capital (Elbi), there are now targeted concepts for nationwide integration into local bus and rail traffic, said Lydia Hüskens.

Starting in the mid-twenties, several other projects will be implemented for automated/autonomous on-demand bus transportation and for the fine-tuning of residential and industrial areas.

By 2026, the section between Halle and Bitterfeld and by 2028 the Uelzen-Stendal-Magdeburg and Gnadau-Köthen lines will be equipped with state-of-the-art control and safety technology. This ETCS* (European Train Control System) is a prerequisite for highly assisted driving in rail traffic, so that the first pilot projects in rail operations can be implemented there.

Minister Hüskens emphasized that Saxony-Anhalt's research landscape offers the best conditions for intensive support of the state's target concept. At various university locations in the state, intensive research is already being carried out into applications for autonomous and networked driving, be it for public transport, the logistics sector or micromobility.

The activities of the Digital Application Center with the current project "Test Field Urban Magdeburg" can be used in particular for the sub-section "Networking".