What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to assess if existing regulations for transit buses can be met by autonomous vehicles and if adaptations are necessary.

July 4, 2026

No driver needed? A perspective from standards, laws and regulations on autonomous transit buses

LFLukas FuchsUniversity of Stuttgart JFJulian FaigUniversity of Stuttgart DRDaniel RothUniversity of Stuttgart

Key Points

This research aims to assess if existing regulations for transit buses can be met by autonomous vehicles and if adaptations are necessary.
Identified and analyzed 54 requirements related to accessibility, safety, and driver tasks for transit buses in Europe and Germany.
Discussed the impact and design considerations for integrating autonomous transit buses into existing frameworks.
Found that existing requirements for safety and accessibility may not fully apply to autonomous transit buses.
Identified areas where regulations need modification to accommodate the unique characteristics of autonomous vehicles.

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Autonomous driving is a promising technology for public transportation to solve two main challenges: The driver shortage and the reduction of environmental impact. This contribution investigates if already existing requirements in standards, laws, regulations and guidelines for accessibility, safety, security and bus drivers’ tasks of transit buses in Europe and Germany can also be complied to with an autonomous transit bus or if the requirements need an adaption. 54 impactful requirements on autonomous transit buses have been found and their impact and opening design space will be discussed.

Ask AI

Helpful

Bookmark

View Full Paper