Table of Contents
- Busan Marks the Official Start of Autonomous Public Transportation Era
- Operating Period, Route, and Time Information
- Verification of Autonomous Driving Technology and Service Preparation Stage
- Test Operation Vehicle: Electric Autonomous Bus BigAi Bus
- Ensuring Citizen Safety and Traffic Cooperation Guidance
- Busan Rises as an AI Autonomous Driving Transportation Innovation City
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Busan Marks the Official Start of Autonomous Public Transportation Era
Busan City will start the trial operations of an autonomous bus called BigAi Bus on the Naeseong-Midong Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) section. This trial operation is scheduled to run for about two months from November 3, 2025, to early January 2026.
This operation serves as a preliminary stage for verifying AI-based traffic technologies and collecting data for the learning of autonomous driving AI.
Previously, free demonstration operations of autonomous buses were conducted at the Osiria Tourist Complex.
The operation will be conducted in an unmanned and constant-speed driving manner. It will take place on a total of 10.4km of BRT dedicated lanes from the Naeseong Intersection in Dongnae District to the Haeundae District Office Intersection. The results of this trial will be used as important foundational data for the future expansion of autonomous public transportation services across Busan.
Operating Period, Route, and Time Information
The trial operation will be conducted during nighttime on weekdays, excluding weekends and holidays. One autonomous bus will operate four times at one-hour intervals, with a one-way duration of approximately 40 minutes.
The operating period is from November 3, 2025, to January 9, 2026, and operations will take place daily from 11:30 PM to 3:30 AM the following day. The one-way operation will occur four times, with each operation spaced one hour apart.
The bus's operating speed will range from 30 km/h to 50 km/h, covering a one-way distance of 10.4 km. The route connects the Naeseong Intersection in Dongnae District and the Haeundae District Office Intersection in Haeundae District. The turnaround points are set near the Oncheon-dong Forest Scent Park in the direction of the Naeseong Intersection and above the Midong Underpass.
Verification of Autonomous Driving Technology and Service Preparation Stage
This test operation is part of the preparation stage for the autonomous bus service, which is set to begin in early 2026.
Through this process, we aim to optimize the autonomous driving software and verify the communication performance between vehicles and objects. Additionally, tasks such as AI driving data learning using high-precision maps and testing the interoperability between vehicles and road infrastructure will be conducted.
Busan City is analyzing real-time traffic flow in urban areas and developing AI-based vehicle control technologies through these efforts. This is laying the foundation for building an autonomous transportation system accessible to citizens.
Test Operation Vehicle: Electric Autonomous Bus BigAi Bus
The autonomous bus operating in Busan is a 15-passenger electric bus model named “BigAi Bus.” It is equipped with various advanced technologies, including high-precision GPS, AI recognition cameras, LiDAR sensors, and vehicle control systems.
Along with the technologies that interface with road infrastructure for autonomous driving, a precision control system is also applied to enhance safety. During the trial operation, professional drivers and safety management personnel will board to prepare for unexpected situations, and in the initial stage, manual driving will also be conducted for safety.
Ensuring Citizen Safety and Traffic Cooperation Guidance
The trial operation will mainly be conducted at low speeds during evening hours, which may cause temporary traffic delays or inconvenience in lane usage.
Busan City is prioritizing safety and thoroughly managing the operations, while all driving data is monitored in real-time from the control center.
During the trial period, cooperation from citizens is needed, and we ask that unnecessary entry into the BRT section or sudden lane changes be avoided during operations.
Busan Rises as an AI Autonomous Driving Transportation Innovation City
Busan City has started trial operations of the autonomous bus in the Naeseong-Midong Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) section to realize its vision as an ‘AI Mobility Leading City.’
This demonstration project focuses on checking the safety of autonomous driving in the BRT section, improving the efficiency of public transportation, and establishing an AI-based traffic management system. In particular, future plans include demonstration operations where citizens will directly ride autonomous vehicles and the addition of smart signal coordination systems.
The BigAi Bus trial operation, starting in November 2025, will be an important milestone in Busan's progress toward becoming an intelligent transportation innovation city utilizing AI traffic technology. This project is expected to provide a decisive turning point for the commercialization of autonomous public transportation services.
#BusanAutonomousBus, #BigAiBus, #NaeseongMidongBRT, #BusanBRT, #BusanAutonomousDriving, #AIBus, #BusanSmartCity, #BusanAIAutomobile, #BusanTransportationInnovation, #BusanPublicTransport, #HaeundaeBRT, #DongnaeBRT, #BusanBusRoutes, #BigAiBus, #BusanAIMobility, #SmartTraffic, #BusanCity, #BusanFutureTransportation, #BusanTechnologicalInnovation, #ElectricBus, #WoojinSanjeon, #BusanTech, #BRTAutonomousDriving, #Dongnae, #Haeundae, #CentumCity, #AIAutonomousDriving, #BusanInnovationProject, #BusanEvent, #NovemberBusan, #BusanRoad
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. When and where will the autonomous bus trial operation begin in Busan?
It will be conducted from November 3, 2025, to January 9, 2026, on the Naeseong-Midong Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) section.
Busan City will start the trial operations of the AI autonomous bus BigAi Bus on the 10.4km BRT dedicated lane from Naeseong Intersection to Haeundae District Office Intersection. The operation period is approximately two months, from November 3, 2025, to January 9, 2026, and will be conducted during nighttime on weekdays. This trial operation is an important step for Busan City to validate AI-based autonomous driving technology and expand it into public transportation services.
Q. What are the operating hours and frequency of the autonomous bus during the trial operation?
It will operate four times a day at one-hour intervals from 11:30 PM to 3:30 AM on weekdays.
The trial operation will be conducted during nighttime on weekdays, excluding weekends and holidays, with one autonomous bus operating a total of four times at one-hour intervals each way. Each one-way operation will take approximately 40 minutes, with speeds ranging from 30 to 50 km/h. These times and frequencies are set considering the optimal conditions for data collection and technology verification.
Q. What are the characteristics of the vehicles used in the Busan autonomous bus trial operation?
They are 15-passenger electric buses called BigAi Bus, equipped with high-precision GPS, AI cameras, LiDAR sensors, and other advanced technologies.
BigAi Bus is a model called Woojin Sanjeon Apollo 900, which is a 15-passenger electric bus. The vehicle is equipped with various advanced autonomous driving technologies, including high-precision GPS, AI recognition cameras, LiDAR sensors, and a vehicle control system to support safe driving. During the trial operation, professional drivers and safety management personnel will be onboard to prepare for any potential situations, and in the initial phase, manual driving will also be conducted for safety.
Q. What should citizens be aware of during the trial operation, and what safety measures are in place?
Citizens are asked to refrain from unnecessary entry and sudden lane changes in the BRT section, ensuring safety management during the trial period.
The trial operation is expected to take place at low speeds during nighttime, which may cause some traffic inconveniences. Busan City is monitoring the operations in real-time and prioritizing citizen safety. Citizens are advised to avoid unnecessary road entry or sudden lane changes in the BRT section for cooperation. Safety personnel will be on board during the trial operation to swiftly respond to any situations that may arise.
Q. What is the long-term vision for the autonomous bus project being pursued by Busan City?
The vision is to realize Busan as a smart transportation innovation city through the expansion of AI-based public transportation.
Through this BigAi Bus trial operation, Busan City aims to validate AI-based autonomous driving technology and expand it to autonomous public transportation services throughout Busan in the future. The goal is to enhance the efficiency and safety of public transportation and build an AI traffic management system, ushering in an era where citizens can directly use autonomous buses. In the long run, Busan is expected to become a model for smart transportation innovation as an AI mobility leading city.
