PT Lab – Preparing public transport for the age of automation: From EU regulation to implementation in Ile-de-France, Helmond, and Madrid
On 27 January 2025, POLIS organised the webinar ‘Preparing public transport for the age of automation’. This webinar was part of the Public Transport Lab webinar series held from November 2024 to March 2025 to explore the future of public transport and its role in sustainable urban mobility.
This webinar addressed three key questions:
- What are the practical challenges of piloting AVs in public transport in European cities?
- How does national-level implementation of EU legislation impact local initiatives?
- What lessons can be drawn from the pioneering efforts of cities and regions?
To answer these, POLIS invited speakers representing all levels of governance and a comprehensive range of automation expertise, including regulatory design, pilot experimentation, and long-term service development:
- Mohamed Brahmi, in charge of regulations for Automated Driving & Connected Vehicles at the European Commission (DG GROW).
- Aymeric Audige, former chief of Automated Vehicles department for the French Ministry of Transport & Françoise Guaspare, Senior policy advisor at Ile-de-France Europe
- Gustavo Reyes, Project leader Smart & Green Mobility of Gemeente Helmond
- Sergio Fernandez Balaguer, Head of Department International and European Project
Regulatory progress at the EU level
The discussion began with an overview of the evolution of EU regulation, focusing on the new ADS (Automated Driving Systems) framework, which lays the foundation for Level 4 automated driving systems. Adopted in July 2022, this framework marks a significant step towards harmonised legislation, to progress from small-scale pilots to large-scale production by 2025-2026. The EC highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts, including the European Forum for Automated Transport (EFAT) initiative, to ensure national and local regulations align with broader EU and international standards.
What’s happening on the ground?
National and regional experiences provided practical insights. France has successfully adapted EU guidelines into a robust national framework that supports the safe deployment of driverless technologies, while pilot projects in Ile-de-France showcased high user acceptance despite high costs and integration challenges. Meanwhile, Helmond’s FABULOS project actively explores how automated vehicles can address last-mile connectivity in a growing city.
In Madrid, EMT has been at the forefront of piloting autonomous mobility, participating in initiatives such as the SHOW project, the largest EU-funded autonomous vehicle project, and the AugmentedCCAM project. Despite regulatory hurdles, these efforts aim to integrate automation into the city's transport network. EMT's trials have included autonomous buses in controlled environments, connecting bus depots to commercial areas, and testing safety measures for connected vehicles. However, some projects faced delays or cancellations due to city authorities not granting the necessary permits. Despite these setbacks, Madrid’s ambition to become a leader in autonomous mobility continues, with regional support aiming to accelerate the deployment of connected and automated transport solutions.
The big takeaway: Collaboration is key
Experts agree that automation can transform urban mobility; but only if cities, public authorities, and industry leaders work together. The future of public transport isn’t just about technology; it’s about smart policies, seamless integration, and making automation work for everyone.
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