Abstract: A system for operation of an autonomous transportation network and a method of operation for a plurality of multi-featured autonomous vehicles are disclosed. The system comprises a road, a control management center and a plurality of multi-featured autonomous vehicles. The multi-featured autonomous vehicles include different types of vehicles for transportation of passengers or goods in the autonomous transportation network. The method of operation disclosed comprises selecting permissible routes from an origin to a destination for the multi-featured autonomous vehicles and predicting conflicts for the multi-featured autonomous vehicles. Conflict avoidance instructions are generated and are transmitted to the multi-featured autonomous vehicles using infrastructure elements. The method of operation comprises adjusting the route of the multi-featured autonomous vehicles (20) using corrected route instructions calculated by an onboard processor of the multi-featured autonomous vehicles.

Abstract: A stopping station (15) for use in a transportation network (100) is disclosed. The stopping station (15) comprises a passenger boarding/alighting platform (30) and a plurality of vehicle stopping surfaces (90). The passenger boarding/alighting platform (30) has an upper surface (80) for boarding of passengers into a vehicle (20). The passenger boarding/alighting platform (30) also has a vehicle-facing surface (85) comprising at least two of a cutout (40) for docking of a wheel (45) of the vehicle to the passenger boarding/alighting platform (30). The vehicle stopping surface (90) is adjacent to the vehicle-facing surface (85) and is used for stopping of the vehicle (20) during the boarding/alighting of the passengers in/from the vehicle (20).

Abstract: A method of controlling a plurality of autonomous vehicles (20) entering a junction (56) from a plurality of inward routes (60a, 60b) and leaving the junction (56) in at least one outward route (65) is disclosed. The method comprises calculating a first time slot (80-1) for entering the junction (56) on a first inward route (60a) wherein the first time slot (80-1) has a first entry time at which the first autonomous vehicle (20-1) enters the junction (56) and adjusting the velocity of the first autonomous vehicle (20-1) by an onboard processor (27) such that the first autonomous vehicle (20-1) arrives at the junction (56) at the first entry time. A second time slot (80-2) for entering the junction (56) for a second autonomous vehicle (20-2) is then calculated.