Recently, the Beijing High-level Autonomous Driving Demonstration Zone Office issued an announcement regarding the testing roads and areas for autonomous vehicles in the pilot policy zone. 

The announcement specifies the testing range for autonomous driving between Beijing E-Town and Beijing South Railway Station.

Beijing South Railway Station is a modern, large-scale comprehensive transportation hub that integrates five types of transportation: rail, subway, urban railway, bus, and taxi. 

It serves the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, connects with the Shanghai-Nanjing-Hangzhou area, and links Anhui, Jiangxi, and Fujian provinces, with a daily passenger flow of nearly 300,000 people. 

The station is well-equipped with comprehensive facilities, including smart parking, making it an ideal location for implementing autonomous driving services.

Two autonomous driving test routes have been designated. These routes cover bi-directional distances of 32 kilometers and 58.6 kilometers. 

They pass through Boda Road-South Fourth Ring Road-Majiapu West Road, and South Fifth Ring Road-Jingkai Expressway-South Third Ring Road, including auxiliary roads on the Third Ring Road, and end at Kaiyang Road, reaching Beijing South Railway Station. 

Additionally, a 2.2-square-kilometer support area around the station has been designated for testing. Dedicated autonomous parking spots have been set up in the multi-story parking building at Beijing South Railway Station.

Next, the demonstration zone will collaborate with relevant enterprises to facilitate on-road testing of autonomous vehicles that have obtained highway testing qualifications in the pilot policy zone. 

It is expected that by the end of the year, this new shuttle service option will be available to travelers.

Passengers will be able to book rides through corporate travel service apps, getting on and off at any autonomous shuttle stop in Beijing E-Town and traveling along predetermined routes to and from Beijing South Railway Station, enjoying the convenience and efficiency brought by autonomous driving technology.