Pilsen introduces self-driving tram system for future of city transportation

Pilsen’s public transport company PMDP has unveiled new technology for operating autonomous trams, aiming to improve urban transit by integrating self-driving technology into the city’s transportation system. Though the first phase will focus on depot operations, the aim is to eventually deploy these vehicles in regular city service.

The city's self-driving tram project has been realized in collaboration with Czech Technical University (ČVUT), the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen (ZČU), and construction company Pragoimex.

According to Miroslav Macháň, Pilsen's transport operations director, the eventual goal is to introduce autonomous trams into standard traffic, initially outside city centers where the traffic conditions are less complex.

The first stage of the autonomous tram system in Pilsen will relieve tram operators from certain tasks. Initially, the self-driving vehicles will be deployed on the end-of-line stops and within depots, easing the workload of tram drivers at the end of their routes.

This step, though modest, is a stepping stone toward more extensive use in the city’s transport system. Based on the success of this in-depot deployment, the ultimate plan is to put autonomous trams on the city's streets.

“We are not replacing drivers, but we are introducing supportive technologies that will assist them in their daily tasks,” explained Macháň.

The system is modular and adaptable, allowing it to be integrated into older trams, avoiding the need for costly new vehicles. The goal, however, remains to fully automate tram operations on public routes in the future.

The autonomous tram system uses advanced sensors and AI technology to detect obstacles and adapt to changing conditions in its environment. This system was developed in collaboration with ČVUT and ZČU, and is based on research funded by DARPA, the U.S. Department of Defense’s research agency.

The technology promises several benefits, including reduced risk of accidents, smoother traffic flow, and lower operational costs. In addition to these advantages, the system is expected to enhance driver comfort by automating repetitive tasks.

“Seeing research results move from academia to real-world applications is incredibly rewarding,” said Pavel Turjanica from ZČU’s Faculty of Electrical Engineering. “Working with ČVUT’s top AI experts and adapting their research into practical systems for Pilsen’s trams has been a truly exciting process.”

This development is part of a growing trend of autonomous public transport solutions worldwide, with self-driving trams already operating in cities like Budapest, Barcelona, and São Paulo. In Prague, a driverless metro was once slated to be launched in 2022 but has been delayed with construction of the Metro D line, which is now expected in 2029.