An automated battery electric bus has successfully completed a trial within an active CapMetro bus depot in Austin, Texas.
The demonstration is part of the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (CapMetro) Yard Automation Research and Deployment (YARD) programme. It marks the first instance of a 40-foot SAE Level 4 autonomous bus operating in such an environment in North America.
The project, which involved retrofitting an existing CapMetro battery electric bus with advanced automation technology, was led by professional services firm WSP in the US.
During the test, the vehicle was tasked with navigating typical depot challenges, including responding to unexpected obstacles, manoeuvring around pedestrians and parked vehicles, and parking precisely under a pantograph charging dispenser.
Severin Skolrud, vice president, critical and emerging technology, national transit and rail at WSP in the U.S. said:During the demonstration, the bus encountered pedestrians, vehicles and large objects, and instantly reacted appropriately to changing situations to complete its assigned route. The most complex manoeuvre sent the autonomous bus to drive and park underneath an overhead pantograph charging dispenser – within just five to seven centimetres of accuracy – and initiate a charging session, all without anyone behind the steering wheel.
CapMetro’s project partners include Perrone Robotics, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, and Clever Devices. Perrone Robotics provided the automation system through its TONY (TO Navigate You) retrofit kit, which delivered Level 4 autonomy and software tailored for depot environments.
The initiative is funded in part by a 950,000 USD award from the Federal Transit Administration under its ADAS and automated maintenance operations programme, contributing to the project’s total cost of 1.26 million USD.
The successful trial demonstrates that the technology may offer operational benefits for transit agencies, including reduced depot congestion, improved safety, and lower labour-related costs. Early findings from the project indicate potential to increase yard capacity by up to 90% and reduce trip preparation times by several minutes, which could yield ongoing efficiency gains.
CapMetro and WSP are considering a second phase of the programme, which would expand the deployment to three autonomous buses and introduce a remote dispatch system capable of starting and pre-conditioning vehicles before sending them to designated locations for operator handover.
WSP continues to oversee vehicle testing, certification, and infrastructure integration for the YARD programme, and will remain the agency’s representative across project stages.
While still in its early stages, the demonstration may inform future applications of automated vehicle movement within depots, particularly for agencies operating large zero-emission fleets.
