Autonomous Systems joins UITP and brings its expertise in automated mobility for public transport – Sustainable Bus

Report on Autonomous Systems’ Contribution to Sustainable Urban Mobility through UITP Partnership

Introduction: Advancing Sustainable Transport Goals

Autonomous Systems has formalized its commitment to sustainable urban development by joining the International Association of Public Transport (UITP). This partnership aims to leverage the company’s expertise in automated mobility to contribute to global dialogues on creating safer, more efficient, and sustainable public transport systems, directly aligning with several key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Strategic Partnership and Knowledge Dissemination

As a new member, Autonomous Systems will actively participate in shaping the future of automated public transport. A key engagement includes:

• Event: UITP Academy training, “Automated Mobility in Public Transport”
• Host: Ruter As, Oslo
• Date: 11-13 November 2025
• Speaker: Jan Gramatyka, Co-CEO of Autonomous Systems
• Session Title: “Depot Autonomy: the first real deployment of autonomous buses”

This session will focus on a phased implementation strategy for automation, starting within the controlled environment of bus depots. This approach is critical for building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation (SDG 9) while ensuring a responsible transition towards smart city solutions (SDG 11).

Depot Automation: A Phased Approach to Sustainable Mobility

The core of Autonomous Systems’ strategy is the incremental introduction of automation, beginning with depot operations. This “depot-first” model, centered around smartbuses and the SmartDepot concept, provides immediate and measurable benefits that support long-term sustainability objectives.

1. Controlled Environment Implementation: Depots offer a repeatable environment for automating routine tasks such as parking, charging, and washing. This minimizes risks and allows for the refinement of technology before public deployment.
2. Operational Efficiency and Resource Management: Automation optimizes vehicle movements and procedures, leading to more efficient use of energy and resources, which supports responsible consumption and production patterns (SDG 12) and contributes to climate action (SDG 13).
3. Enhancing Decent Work and Safety: By automating repetitive and high-risk manoeuvres, this technology improves depot safety and enhances working conditions for staff. This directly addresses SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by reducing workplace accidents and allowing employees to focus on higher-value tasks.

As stated by Jan Gramatyka, “Automation in public transport must begin where it is both achievable and valuable today – in the depot. By automating everyday processes such as parking, charging, and washing, operators can gain immediate operational benefits while building the expertise needed for future on-road autonomy.”

Direct Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The integration of autonomous systems into public transport, particularly through depot automation, makes a significant contribution to the following SDGs:

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The technology helps mitigate labour shortages in the transport sector and improves working conditions, creating a more resilient and sustainable workforce.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: This initiative represents a significant technological innovation in public transport infrastructure, promoting the development of smart, sustainable, and resilient systems.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: By enhancing the efficiency, safety, and reliability of public transport, depot automation is a foundational step toward creating inclusive, safe, and sustainable urban environments. It strengthens shared mobility, a cornerstone of sustainable cities.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: Optimized depot operations can lead to more efficient use of energy for charging and reduced consumption of resources like water for washing, promoting sustainable operational patterns.

Conclusion: A Practical Pathway to Sustainable Urban Futures

Autonomous Systems’ membership in UITP and its focus on depot automation provide a pragmatic and responsible roadmap for the large-scale adoption of autonomous vehicles in public transport. This strategy ensures that technological advancement is directly linked to achieving tangible improvements in operational efficiency, safety, and workforce stability. By prioritizing a phased, depot-outward approach, the company is not only advancing automated mobility but also making a direct and meaningful contribution to the global Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those aimed at creating innovative, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • The article connects to SDG 8 by discussing how bus depot automation can improve working conditions for drivers. It explicitly states that automation “improves safety, and contributes to better working conditions by reducing repetitive manoeuvres”. It also addresses labour market challenges by noting that this technology helps with the “shortage of drivers” and supports “staff retention”.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • This goal is central to the article, which focuses on technological innovation within the public transport industry. The development of “smartbuses” and “SmartDepot” technology by Autonomous Systems represents a significant advancement. The article highlights the goal of upgrading infrastructure by automating depot processes like “parking, charging, and washing” to create more efficient and sustainable systems. The collaboration between Autonomous Systems and UITP aims to bridge “the gap between research pilots and real-world operations”, fostering innovation in the sector.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • The article directly addresses SDG 11 by focusing on improving urban public transport. The stated goal is to make “urban transport safer, more efficient, and more sustainable”. The deployment of autonomous buses, starting in depots and eventually moving to public roads, is presented as a “realistic and responsible path toward large-scale automated mobility in cities”. This aims to enhance shared mobility and create better urban living environments.

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The article exemplifies SDG 17 through the collaboration between Autonomous Systems, a technology company, and the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), a global network. This partnership is designed to “contribute its expertise to the dialogue on automated mobility” and promote the “responsible introduction of autonomous and connected vehicles into urban transport systems”. This public-private cooperation is a key mechanism for achieving sustainable development objectives.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers. The article’s emphasis on how automation “improves safety” and leads to “better working conditions” by reducing repetitive and potentially hazardous tasks for drivers directly aligns with this target.

2. Under SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes. The automation of depot operations for efficiency is a direct application of this target.
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation. The entire initiative of developing and deploying “smartbuses” and depot autonomy is an example of upgrading technological capabilities and encouraging innovation in the transport sector.

3. Under SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all. The article’s core mission is to make urban transport “safer, more efficient, and more sustainable” through autonomous technology, which directly supports the creation of sustainable transport systems for cities.

4. Under SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. The collaboration between Autonomous Systems and the UITP is a clear example of a public-private partnership aimed at advancing sustainable mobility.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Implied Indicators for SDG 8

   • Staff retention rates: The article mentions that automation “supports staff retention”, implying that tracking this rate would be a measure of success.
   • Reduction in workplace accidents: The claim that automation “improves safety” suggests that a decrease in accidents or safety incidents in depots could be a key performance indicator.

2. Implied Indicators for SDG 9

   • Operational efficiency gains: The article states that automation delivers “measurable improvements in daily operations” and “immediate operational benefits”. This implies that metrics such as time saved on parking, charging, and washing, or reduced energy consumption, could be used as indicators.
   • Adoption rate of autonomous technology: The number of bus depots that implement “smartbus” technology would be a direct indicator of the successful scaling of this innovation.

3. Implied Indicators for SDG 11

   • Safety records of public transport: The goal to make urban transport “safer” implies that indicators like the number of accidents involving public transport vehicles could be tracked.
   • Efficiency of public transport systems: The aim to make transport “more efficient” suggests that indicators like on-time performance, vehicle turnaround time, and operational costs could be used to measure progress.

4. Direct Indicators for SDG 17

   • Formation of partnerships: The article itself is an announcement of a new partnership. The existence of the collaboration between Autonomous Systems and UITP serves as a direct indicator of progress towards this goal.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: sustainable-bus.com