Line 18, Stavanger: Europe’s First SAE Level-4 Automated Bus on Public Roads
The Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK, automated by ADASTEC, began serving the public in Stavanger, Norway with the launch of Line 18, marking a historic first for Europe. As the continent’s first SAE Level-4 automated bus operating on public roads, this deployment set a benchmark for safe, intelligent, and fully integrated public transit automation.
Line 18 was launched as part of a collaborative project between ADASTEC, Karsan, Applied Autonomy, Vy, and Kolumbus, with approvals granted by the Norwegian Public Road Administration and TÜV NORD for both the vehicle and the automated driving system. This deployment offered an early and successful demonstration of real-world automated public transport, showcasing ADASTEC’s ability to deliver dependable service in complex, mixed-traffic environments.
The Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK operated along a 2.6-kilometer (1.6-mile) route spanning Stavanger’s harbor, with five bus stops, four roundabouts, and twelve pedestrian crosswalks. The location had high pedestrian density due to daily cruise ship arrivals, with more than 1,000 tourists disembarking each day. To meet this demand, the automated bus ran daily from 1:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., completing 14 roundtrips per day.
The service carried ticketed passengers and operated as part of the Kolumbus transit network. Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK, automated by ADASTEC, consistently delivered smooth, safe, and efficient mobility throughout the route, even under real-time urban conditions.
Since its launch, the Line 18 deployment has transported over 20,000 passengers, providing valuable insights into operational readiness, scalability, and passenger acceptance of automated mobility. By prioritizing accessibility and safety, ADASTEC’s system enabled inclusive transportation that helped bridge mobility gaps in Stavanger’s city center.
The success of Line 18 laid the foundation for more complex operations, including the transition to Line 19, further reinforcing ADASTEC’s commitment to delivering intelligent and sustainable public transportation solutions.
