National

Public transit agencies are increasingly exploring how autonomous buses could help reduce operating costs, improve service on low-ridership or specialized routes, and bridge gaps at the beginning and end of public transit trips — so-called first- and last-mile connections.

The big picture: The U.S. had an estimated 687,200 bus drivers in 2016, including about 176,000 city public transit drivers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While some union leaders have expressed concerns that AVs could eliminate jobs for bus drivers, it’s more likely that they will continue to require onboard operators for non-driving functions.

While some studies indicate that a rapid shift to autonomous vehicles could lead to millions in job losses across industry sectors, others show AVs will create more than enough new jobs to offset those eliminated by automation.

Moreover, as a recent George Washington University study points out, “City bus drivers preserve order and safety on buses, provide information, ensure payment, and are generally considered community members and authority” required for the successful operation of public transportation.

Drivers for fixed route and paratransit services are required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide hands-on assistance to riders with disabilities, such as securing wheelchairs on board and walking passengers to the door. Even in public transit rail operations where full automation has been in place for a decade, such as parts of the New York City MTA, train conductors still help with passenger interactions, tickets and a host of other duties.

In cities such as Las Vegas or Neuhausen, Switzerland, where AV buses are already transporting thousands of passengers, each vehicle still hosts a “steward” who can exercise control over the vehicle if necessary, greets passengers and maintains order on and off the vehicle. In Columbus, Ohio city officials plan to begin testing an autonomous shuttle bus later this year.

The bottom line: While predictions vary on when fully autonomous vehicles will handle 100% of driving, there will be a continuing role for onboard operators in public transit to help passengers with disabilities and assist with safety, fares and information. A bus driver’s human touch will still be needed, even if not behind the wheel.

Paul Comfort is vice president of business development at Trapeze Group and the former CEO of the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore.

Even as autonomy advances, AV buses likely to have onboard operators

In cities that already have AV buses, each vehicle still hosts a “steward.”

 An electric autonomous bus drives on August 14, 2018 in Mainz, Germany. 

An electric autonomous bus in Mainz, Germany. Photo: Thomas Lohnes via Getty Images

Future

Autonomous vehicles

Expert Voices

Transportation

Public transit agencies are increasingly exploring how autonomous buses could help reduce operating costs, improve service on low-ridership or specialized routes, and bridge gaps at the beginning and end of public transit trips — so-called first- and last-mile connections.The big picture: The U.S. had an estimated 687,200 bus drivers in 2016, including about 176,000 city public transit drivers, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bureau of Labor Statistics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/bus-drivers.htm#tab-1" data-vars-content-id="1639b01e-faa3-4648-a1b7-25e2a09c585e" data-vars-headline="Even as autonomy advances, AV buses likely to have onboard operators" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/bus-drivers.htm#tab-1" target="_blank">Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>. While some union leaders have expressed concerns that AVs could eliminate jobs for bus drivers, it’s more likely that they will continue to require onboard operators for non-driving functions.

From the Valley to D.C., Big Tech players like Facebook, Google and Amazon are under more scrutiny than ever as new technology develops and privacy and antitrust concerns grow in lockstep with companies’ ambitions.

Technology

One AV trend set to pick up speed in 2019 is universities, cities and transit agencies piloting autonomous shuttles and circulators, typically carrying 10–12 passengers, to provide first- and last-mile links to other transit options.

Why it matters: These programs will be a chance to test AVs in new situations and environments, shape public perception of AV technology, and assess needed infrastructure improvements.

Background: In its October 2018 Automated Vehicles 3.0 Guidance, the U.S. Department of Transportation spelled out its high hopes for how AVs could improve public and private transport. DOT also announced up to $60 million in federal grant funding for projects that test the safe integration of automated driving systems onto the nation’s roadways.

Details: At least 8 U.S. cities will launch new pilot low-speed AV programs in 2019.

Circulators: Austin is aiming to deploy shared AVs downtown as a free circulator shuttle this year. Las Vegas and its surrounding area received a $5.3 million DOT grant for an automated circulator program that will connect the Las Vegas Medical District with the city's downtown.

Popular routes: Grand Rapids, Mich., will begin a 1-year trial in March of an AV shuttle service along a 3.2-mile section of the city's DASH West route. The Rhode Island DOT recently announced a 1-year AV pilot program offering free rides between downtown Providence and the Olneyville Square area. 

Bus service: In Ohio, Toledo and Columbus plan to run autonomous buses. Toledo won a $1.8 million DOT grant to begin service, and Columbus began a free downtown autonomous shuttle service in December, paid for by a $40 million DOT grant.

Shuttles and transit connectors: A pilot program will launch on the campus of Texas Southern University in Houston early this year, and one has already launched as a connection to light rail in Dublin, Calif.

Yes, but: Some cities' past plans, as in the case of Knoxville's Olli trolley, haven't come together. And cities still need to work on accessibility around AVs, which is a major priority for manufacturers.

Shared AV pilots are on the rise in U.S. cities

The programs will be useful tests of both AV technology and the public's response.

A man entering an Olli autonomous shuttle.

'Olli,' an autonomous shuttle, at the National Harbor in Maryland. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

Public transport

One AV trend set to pick up speed in 2019 is universities, cities and transit agencies piloting autonomous shuttles and circulators, typically carrying 10–12 passengers, to provide first- and last-mile links to other transit options.Why it matters: These programs will be a chance to test AVs in new situations and environments, shape public perception of AV technology, and assess needed infrastructure improvements.

Transportation agencies in San Antonio, Baltimore, Fairfax and the state of Delaware have hosted hackathons and open data challenges, as did the recent InnoTrans conference in Berlin. These are opportunities for programmers, coders and designers to turn their ideas into practical transportation solutions in the form of web and mobile apps, data visualizations and algorithms for improved transit performance.

The big picture: Transit systems across America have seen a steady decline in ridership over the past five years, with an average drop of 5% in bus ridership from 2016 to 2017. These hackathons are only one of the newest ways cities are approaching the modernization of their transportation offerings — in addition to connecting public transit with Uber and Lyft, hosting bike and scooter shares, and launching smart phone apps that plan and track public transit rides.

The winners of San Antonio VIA Metropolitan Transit's first GoCodeSA Codeathon produced an Amazon Alexa skill that integrates VIA’s real-time bus information with voice-activated commands from any Alexa device. The winning team this year developed an app that plans a round trip on the bus system based on the user’s interests and activities, such as dining, shopping and exploring.

In Delaware’s competition, one winner’s program allows qualified users to make paratransit appointments quickly on a phone app, as simply as ordering an Uber. A separate app plans routes by helping to replace a vehicular commute with biking (or by combining biking with public transport) — like Waze for cyclists. Users can add warnings and route suggestions.

Yes, but: While these tech-driven programs to improve transit ridership can help in many cities, they most likely won’t impact ridership in places like Washington, DC, and New York City, where the main causes of concern are aging rail infrastructure.

Why it matters: Transit leaders are hoping these innovations will not just grab headlines but actually make public transit a more appealing and easier option for riders.

Public transit agencies turning to hackathons for innovation

They're looking to boost ridership with new and more convenient services.

computer programmers working on laptops at a table

Computer programmers at a hackathon in Miami. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Computer programming

Transportation agencies in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Antonio" data-vars-click-url="https://www.viainfo.net/2018/01/18/codeathon-2018/" data-vars-content-id="a5a687a1-6d71-4cab-84ff-824218d131b1" data-vars-headline="Public transit agencies turning to hackathons for innovation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.viainfo.net/2018/01/18/codeathon-2018/" target="_blank">San Antonio</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Baltimore" data-vars-click-url="https://technical.ly/baltimore/2017/05/03/baltimore-hackathon-recap/" data-vars-content-id="a5a687a1-6d71-4cab-84ff-824218d131b1" data-vars-headline="Public transit agencies turning to hackathons for innovation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://technical.ly/baltimore/2017/05/03/baltimore-hackathon-recap/" target="_blank">Baltimore</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fairfax" data-vars-click-url="https://technical.ly/dc/2017/11/08/help-improve-transportation-fairfax-county-hackathon/" data-vars-content-id="a5a687a1-6d71-4cab-84ff-824218d131b1" data-vars-headline="Public transit agencies turning to hackathons for innovation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://technical.ly/dc/2017/11/08/help-improve-transportation-fairfax-county-hackathon/" target="_blank">Fairfax</a> and the state of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Delaware" data-vars-click-url="https://technical.ly/delaware/2018/05/17/winning-projects-open-data-challenge-2018/" data-vars-content-id="a5a687a1-6d71-4cab-84ff-824218d131b1" data-vars-headline="Public transit agencies turning to hackathons for innovation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://technical.ly/delaware/2018/05/17/winning-projects-open-data-challenge-2018/" target="_blank">Delaware</a> have hosted hackathons and open data challenges, as did the recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="InnoTrans conference" data-vars-click-url="https://www.masstransitmag.com/blog/12411240/getting-personal-at-innotrans-2018" data-vars-content-id="a5a687a1-6d71-4cab-84ff-824218d131b1" data-vars-headline="Public transit agencies turning to hackathons for innovation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.masstransitmag.com/blog/12411240/getting-personal-at-innotrans-2018" target="_blank">InnoTrans conference</a> in Berlin. These are opportunities for programmers, coders and designers to turn their ideas into practical transportation solutions in the form of web and mobile apps, data visualizations and algorithms for improved transit performance.The big picture: Transit systems across America <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="have seen a steady decline in ridership" data-vars-click-url="https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2018/05/the-stark-and-hopeful-facts-about-bus-ridership/559400/" data-vars-content-id="a5a687a1-6d71-4cab-84ff-824218d131b1" data-vars-headline="Public transit agencies turning to hackathons for innovation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2018/05/the-stark-and-hopeful-facts-about-bus-ridership/559400/" target="_blank">have seen a steady decline in ridership</a> over the past five years, with an average drop of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="5% in bus ridership" data-vars-click-url="https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2018/05/the-stark-and-hopeful-facts-about-bus-ridership/559400/" data-vars-content-id="a5a687a1-6d71-4cab-84ff-824218d131b1" data-vars-headline="Public transit agencies turning to hackathons for innovation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2018/05/the-stark-and-hopeful-facts-about-bus-ridership/559400/" target="_blank">5% in bus ridership</a> from 2016 to 2017. These hackathons are only one of the newest ways cities are approaching the modernization of their transportation offerings — in addition to connecting public transit with Uber and Lyft, hosting bike and scooter shares, and launching <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="smart phone apps" data-vars-click-url="http://www.itsinternational.com/sections/transmart/features/maas-transit-does-dallas/" data-vars-content-id="a5a687a1-6d71-4cab-84ff-824218d131b1" data-vars-headline="Public transit agencies turning to hackathons for innovation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://www.itsinternational.com/sections/transmart/features/maas-transit-does-dallas/" target="_blank">smart phone apps</a> that plan and track public transit rides.

The Swiss state of Shauffhausen was the first in the world to incorporate an autonomous bus into regular route public transit in mixed traffic, a service that has transported over 12,000 passengers since it began in March. City and transit officials tasked a research team with conducting a public survey on the program's performance.

Why it matters: While the participants seem to have some concerns and unanswered questions about the transition to autonomous vehicles, the autonomous bus enjoyed high levels of approval. Public acceptance and support are key to the success of AVs in public transportation, and these results bode well for other cities looking to try autonomous buses in their transit systems.

Overall, rider concerns were low, and the project received support from the majority of the population, with around 60% of participants judging it useful. Participants showed  relatively high trust in the AV technical systems themselves. System safety and reliability earned the highest approval ratings.

Yes, but: Riders were most concerned about the potential hacking of the vehicle’s software and data. Other highly ranked concerns were the interaction of the AV with cyclists and pedestrians and its reactions to unexpected situations or bad weather. Those in the 18–40 age group had more worries about the loss of jobs that AV technology could bring about. Participants were also apprehensive about transmission of data from AVs if the technology was used in their own cars:  A majority objected to the sharing of data with insurance companies and the state Road Traffic Department, and even more to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration.

What’s next: The research team plans to conduct at least two more follow-up surveys in the coming year to track how attitudes change as usage of the autonomous buses continues and expands. These studies, along with others being planned in the U.S., will help guide cities rolling out their own pilot AV programs. 

Autonomous buses in Switzerland are getting a warm reception

The results bode well for other cities looking to try AVs in public transit.

Christian Amsler and Winfried Kretschmann sit inside an autonomously driven bus of the Schaffhausen public transport during a test ride.

Christian Amsler, government president of Schaffhausen, and Winfried Kretschmann, Premier of Baden-Wuerttemberg, inside one of the autonomous buses. Photo: Patrick Seeger via Getty Images

The Swiss state of Shauffhausen was the first in the world to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="incorporate an autonomous bus" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/swiss-town-making-way-for-avs-in-public-transit-770236c1-640e-412e-be05-59cfaf54d7d1.html" data-vars-content-id="aecdfd72-11e8-4763-bb92-049e70e5a05c" data-vars-headline="Autonomous buses in Switzerland are getting a warm reception" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/swiss-town-making-way-for-avs-in-public-transit-770236c1-640e-412e-be05-59cfaf54d7d1.html" target="_self">incorporate an autonomous bus</a> into regular route public transit in mixed traffic, a service that has transported over 12,000 passengers since it began in March. City and transit officials tasked a research team with conducting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a public survey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.swisstransitlab.com/media/attachments/2018/08/13/interimreport1_line12.pdf" data-vars-content-id="aecdfd72-11e8-4763-bb92-049e70e5a05c" data-vars-headline="Autonomous buses in Switzerland are getting a warm reception" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.swisstransitlab.com/media/attachments/2018/08/13/interimreport1_line12.pdf" target="_blank">a public survey</a> on the program&#x27;s performance.Why it matters: While the participants seem to have some concerns and unanswered questions about the transition to autonomous vehicles, the autonomous bus enjoyed high levels of approval. Public acceptance and support are key to the success of AVs in public transportation, and these results bode well for other cities looking to try autonomous buses in their transit systems.

Last November, Las Vegas launched an autonomous bus route along a tourist-heavy stretch of Fremont Street, sponsored by AAA and using a Navya AV operated by Keolis Transit.

Why it matters: Cities across America are beginning to test driverless buses — including pilots in Austin and Detroit — but Las Vegas was the first to deploy them on public streets in mixed traffic, and its program is now the largest AV bus pilot in the U.S. Other than a first day snafu, when another truck ran into the AV, the service has run safely and without incident.

The details: The AV shuttle is a free service for Las Vegas visitors and residents that provides transit between the Downtown Container Park and the Fremont Street Experience. Passengers traverse eight city intersections, six traffic lights, and two stop signs — all without a driver, though the bus does host an onboard "attendant" who acts as an ambassador, educating  riders on how the AV technology works.

Since launch, the service has transported more than 35,000 passengers, helping to test the acceptance of AVs in public transit. Early signs are positive: It has earned a passenger rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars for its driving, according to Francis Julien at Keolis Transit.

What to watch: The next step in the evolution of the service is to ensure infrastructure can support the evolving  operational capabilities of the AV — especially as service expands to more and longer routes — and to make the bus more accessible to people with disabilities.

U.S. cities building on Las Vegas' success with autonomous buses

The Fremont Street pilot program has safely transported 35,000 passengers in its first year.

self-driving shuttle on Fremont Street in Las Vegas with passengers on board

A Navya Arma autonomous electric shuttle on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas. Photo: Jason Ogulnik/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Last November, Las Vegas launched an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="autonomous bus route" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rtcsnv.com/transit/" data-vars-content-id="ce6b3d43-c5a3-4b39-a47b-2abde77eec4c" data-vars-headline="U.S. cities building on Las Vegas&#x27; success with autonomous buses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rtcsnv.com/transit/" target="_blank">autonomous bus route</a> along a tourist-heavy stretch of Fremont Street, sponsored by AAA and using a Navya AV operated by Keolis Transit.Why it matters: Cities across America are beginning to test driverless buses — including <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pilots in Austin and Detroit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.curbed.com/2018/7/12/17566500/shuttle-autonomous-driverless-bus-transit" data-vars-content-id="ce6b3d43-c5a3-4b39-a47b-2abde77eec4c" data-vars-headline="U.S. cities building on Las Vegas&#x27; success with autonomous buses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.curbed.com/2018/7/12/17566500/shuttle-autonomous-driverless-bus-transit" target="_blank">pilots in Austin and Detroit</a> — but Las Vegas was the first to deploy them on public streets in mixed traffic, and its program is now the largest AV bus pilot in the U.S. Other than a first day snafu, when another truck ran into the AV, the service has run safely and without incident.

Paul Comfort

Stories

Shared AV pilots are on the rise in U.S. cities

Public transit agencies turning to hackathons for innovation

Autonomous buses in Switzerland are getting a warm reception

U.S. cities building on Las Vegas' success with autonomous buses

Even as autonomy advances, AV buses likely to have onboard operators