FOCUS: Aichi Eyes Japan’s First Level 4 Expressway Autonomous Bus Service

Nagoya, April 10 (Jiji Press)–The Aichi prefectural government is stepping up demonstration tests aimed at launching Japan’s first commercially operated autonomous bus service on an expressway. In fiscal 2025, which ended in March, the central Japan prefecture repeatedly carried out Level 2 trial runs, in which a driver remains on board and handles some operations manually. The tests helped identify a number of challenges. Aichi aims to secure approvals for the practical deployment of Level 4 autonomous driving in fiscal 2027. Under Level 4 autonomy, a vehicle can operate without a driver under specific conditions. Level 2 Test On Nov. 26 last year, Aichi Prefecture, together with Nagoya-based Meitetsu Bus Co. and other partners, gave the press access to Japan’s first demonstration test of a large tourist bus operating on an expressway under Level 2 autonomous driving. The test route ran along an expressway between Chubu Centrair International Airport in Tokoname and the town of Agui. The one-way distance was about 16 kilometers, with the maximum speed of the bus under autonomous driving set at 80 kilometers per hour. Aichi Governor Hideaki Omura, who rode the bus during the test, said the experience was “extremely comfortable and no different from riding a regular tour bus.” He also expressed optimism about the project, saying, “We hope to put it into practical use from fiscal 2027 onward.” Running Smoothly According to the transport ministry, Level 4 autonomous community buses and small mobility vehicles have already started operating in places such as the town of Taki, Mie Prefecture, and the city of Shiojiri, Nagano Prefecture. So far, however, there is no precedent for Level 4 operation of an expressways bus. Aichi’s efforts to make this possible are part of autonomous driving demonstration projects that have been underway since fiscal 2016. An official with the prefectural government’s next-generation mobility industry section said, “We are supporting the automation of routes operated by private-sector companies,” voicing hope that the initiative will lead to the development of a viable business model. The Level 2 demonstration test of the express bus was carried out from Nov. 17 to Dec. 5, after data collection on the route began last September and various adjustments were made, including to speed control on slopes and in electronic toll collection system-only lanes. During the test period, the bus completed a total of 504 round trips between Chubu Centrair International Airport and Agui, with no operational problems reported. According to a Meitetsu Bus official involved in business planning, the initial plan for the demonstration test was to operate the bus using a combination of “map matching,” which determines the vehicle’s location from images of surrounding scenery and buildings, and the Global Navigation Satellite System. But because GNSS could not provide accurate positioning in areas with poor signal reception, a system for detecting white lane markings on the road was also introduced, enabling more stable operation. Challenges with ETC Gates At the same time, the demonstration also highlighted several other challenges. While an ETC-only lane is 3 meters wide, a highway bus is about 2.5 meters wide. If the vehicle strays even a few dozen centimeters from its intended path, it may be unable to pass through the ETC gate safely. According to a Meitetsu Bus official, the autonomous driving system used in the demonstration did not provide sufficient accuracy, and the company plans to improve the system to achieve more precise vehicle control. In addition, the bus was switched to manual operation in areas affected by construction-related traffic restrictions during the demonstration period. To enable Level 4 autonomous operation, information on such restrictions must be incorporated into the autonomous driving system in advance. A Meitetsu Bus official said, “Cooperation and support from road administrators is desirable.” The prefectural government and other organizations plan to resume demonstration trials of the expressway bus around May this year. Until now, only project personnel have been permitted to ride the vehicles, but ordinary passengers will also be allowed onboard to help gauge actual demand, officials said. With support from the national government, the project will include vehicle modifications and risk assessments, with the goal of securing the approvals needed for Level 4 operations within fiscal 2027. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]