As of May 20, 2026
| Committee name | Automated Driving Subcommittee |
| Theme | Collecting various data and issues through the demonstration experiments of automated driving buses, and studying the deepening of operation content and the way mid- to long-term operation should be. |
| Chairman | Professor Kimihiko Nakano, The University of Tokyo |
Main activities in FY2025
- Demonstration experiment of Level 4 automated driving bus commercial operation in the Kashiwanoha area
- ・A long-term demonstration experiment (Level 2 operation) began on November 1, 2019, in the approximately 2.6 km area between Kashiwanoha-campus Station and Kashiwa Campus, but from January 13, 2026, Level 4 operation in a partial section (approx. 0.7 km) and Level 2 operation in all other sections commenced. For this purpose, approval as a Level 4 automated driving vehicle, permission for specified automated operation, and approval for specified automated operation passenger transport were obtained. In addition, an opinion exchange meeting with citizens and four citizen test-ride events were held. Traffic light collaboration (remaining green light seconds) is used for Level 4 automated operation, but for other traffic light collaboration and the utilization of target object information, performance confirmation, data transmission/reception confirmation, and evaluation of smoothness effects through numerical calculations were conducted under Level 2 operation. Identification of issues and examination of countermeasures toward further cooperative Level 4 automated driving will be conducted.
- Basic Agreement of the Automated Driving Bus Introduction Study Group
- ・The renewal of the validity period and modifications to Articles 9 and 11 regarding intellectual property and confidentiality have been made, aiming to conclude the agreement within the fiscal year.
- *Automated buses will continue as in the previous fiscal year. Click here for more details.
Operation Route
Level 4 Automated Driving Bus
- Holding of the Automated Driving Subcommittee
- 1st Meeting: September 2, 2025 / 2nd Meeting: February 24, 2026
- Holding of the Automated Driving Bus Introduction Study Group
- 1st Meeting: June 27, 2025
Draft activity plan for FY2026
- ・Aiming for the continuous operation of Level 4 automated driving buses, continuing to collect various data and issues, and studying the advancement of Level 4 operation content and the way mid- to long-term operation should be
- ・Demonstration experiments aimed at solving problems in the road traffic environment along automated operation routes