How do we test whether autonomous buses can improve everyday transport before putting them into service?
NTRO has partnered with Japanese autonomous driving company TIER IV to bring Rita, Australia and New Zealand’s first mid-sized bus capable of autonomous driving, to the region. Following fine-tuning for local conditions, Rita is now available to transport agencies, councils and private organisations for controlled demonstrations and in-service trials.
That creates an opportunity to examine the technology in practical settings rather than relying on assumptions. What would an automated service need to deliver for passengers, operators and communities? How should its performance and risks be assessed?
At the NTRO International Conference 2027, emerging transport technology will be part of a wider discussion about testing ideas, learning from real-world experience and identifying what can genuinely improve transport outcomes.
