Operation Management of Autonomous Vehicles in the Fields of Buses and Taxis, and User Awareness of the Safety

In this colloquium, focusing on the operation management (monitoring) of autonomous vehicles on buses and taxis, the impacts of operation management on future operating costs and intention to use autonomous vehicles were reported. There were also reports on the actual situations of autonomous vehicles on buses and taxis.

Regarding the impact on operating costs, even remote monitoring of about 1.x vehicles per person has shown to be a great impact from the perspective of the existing industry. In addition, based on the analysis results of the survey on users, it was also shown that, in consideration of the convenience of transportation, non-assignment of crew (remote monitoring) did not reduce the intention to use autonomous vehicles. Based on these points, it was suggested that it was important to first carry out remote monitoring of about 1.x vehicles per person and to realize a service level that could replace existing buses and taxis.

The commentator pointed out the difference between the form of bus and taxi, and points to consider when introducing an operation management system for autonomous vehicles in local public transportation. 　During the Q & A session, there were lively discussions on problems regarding the timing of the initial cost increase of vehicles and operation management systems, problems with crew type (whether or not they had a class Ⅱ driver license, crew type with a view to regional development), the viewpoint that security could be improved even when operation management was advanced, and relevance to autonomous driving of railways.

It was a successful colloquium with over 105 participants from universities, research institutions, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, railway / transportation organizations, local governments, railway companies, bus companies, other transportation companies, consultants, and media.