What if your daily commute between France, Germany, and Luxembourg didn’t depend on rigid bus schedules or long waits at train stations? The INTERREG TERMINAL project set out to explore whether Automated Mobility on Demand (AMoD) could fill the gaps in cross-border public transport. Researcher Isabelle Rösler from HTW Saarbrücken shared key takeaways from the project, shedding light on the challenges, successes, and lessons learned along the way. Deliverable:
Summary Paper of Terminal VA Greater Region
Two cross-border pilots
Between 2019 and 2022, two pilot projects tested the potential of automated, on-demand transport in one of Europe’s busiest border regions:
Pilot 1: A planned AV shuttle service between Creutzwald (France) and an industrial area in Germany, covering a 16 km route across urban and provincial roads.
Pilot 2: An Automated On-Demand service connecting Luxembourg and Thionville (France)—a high-traffic commuter route traditionally underserved by public transport.
The aim? To see whether AV technology could provide a reliable, flexible, and cost-effective alternative to conventional transport in these cross-border regions.
Key challenges and findings
Legal
Cross-border AV transport is legally complex. Vehicles needed separate approvals in each country, requiring detailed applications covering safety, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and public information measures. Despite a Franco-German-Luxembourgian working group, a mutual recognition system for AV approvals still doesn’t exist—six years later.
Technology
Finding an automated vehicle suitable for long-distance, cross-border travel at higher speeds proved difficult. Five separate tenders failed to secure an SAE Level 4 shuttle, so the project turned to an alternative: the Tesla Model X. The results?
64% of the test route was driven in automated mode at over 60 km/h.
Significant differences were observed between professional drivers in how they used the autopilot system.
Full automation was not yet possible, with drivers needing to take control 25% of the time—mainly in roundabouts and narrow urban streets.
Cost factor
Operating an automated service isn’t just about the vehicle. Legal approvals, software, training, and route assessments pushed costs into the high six figures. To make AV services economically viable, safety drivers must eventually be replaced with remote supervisors—but current German regulations require highly qualified staff, making this shift financially challenging.
Passenger experience?
Unlike traditional AV shuttle pilots, where low speeds often cause safety concerns, the TERMINAL project found something different:
Over 90% of users felt safe and comfortable—even at higher speeds.
Faster journeys increased willingness to use AV services for longer commutes.
The luxurious interior of the Tesla Model X played a role in passenger satisfaction, suggesting that vehicle comfort is just as important as automation.
However, flexibility remains key. Limited route options and fixed schedules reduced user acceptance compared to private cars.
Lessons
Educate & engage – The more people know about AV technology, the more they trust it.
Demonstrations matter – Real-world trials are the best way to build public confidence.
Policy needs to catch up – Regulatory alignment is crucial for cross-border AV success.
Tech is improving—but not there yet – Full SAE Level 4 automation is still on the horizon, especially for complex urban settings.
The Luxembourg-Thionville pilot never fully launched due to vehicle approval issues in France, proving that even with advanced technology, policy barriers remain one of the biggest hurdles for cross-border automation.
Despite these challenges, the TERMINAL project showcased the potential of automated transport and provided valuable insights for future deployments.
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