The Human Side of Automation

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How is Autonomy Redefining Jobs in Public Transit?

Across the world, cities are rethinking what automation really means for people. In public transit, autonomy is often seen as a job disruptor, yet a closer look reveals a different story. According to the ITF – International Transport Forum at the OECD 2023 policy paper, which draws on international pilot data and workforce transition studies, automation is less about removing drivers and more about redefining their roles. The report shows that autonomy can help address ongoing driver shortages by taking on repetitive driving tasks while creating new opportunities for remote fleet supervisors, safety operators, and autonomous vehicle (AV) technicians through training and upskilling programs.

A similar message comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation‘s STAR Plan 2.0, a national research roadmap developed by the Federal Transit Administration in 2024 to guide the safe and responsible deployment of automation. The plan emphasizes that transit workers are essential to successful automation, calling for targeted training and clear career pathways so people remain central to future transit operations.

Together, these developments point to a broader shift. Autonomy is not erasing the human element but transforming it. The question is no longer “Will automation take over?” but rather “How will automation change the way people work within transit system?”

👷♀️ Which New Roles are Emerging for Humans in Public Transit?

In many of the first autonomous pilots, new hybrid positions are already visible. According to The ITF – International Transport Forum at the OECD report, these roles are emerging because automation shifts the operator’s focus from manual driving to system oversight and coordination. Instead of steering or braking, employees now monitor vehicle data, supervise multiple routes from control centers, or step in when human judgment is needed. As noted in the report, as automation expands, demand will increase for technicians, fleet operation specialists, and system supervisors who can interpret diagnostics, manage safety handovers, and maintain AI-based perception systems. In other words, the work is becoming less about controlling a vehicle and more about managing a network, requiring digital awareness, decision-making, and collaboration across different vehicles and routes.

A clear example of this transformation can be seen in the CAVForth project in Scotland, one of the world’s first autonomous bus services. Each bus includes both a safety driver and a “bus captain” responsible for passenger interaction, as reported by Autoweek. The safety driver remains in the driver’s seat but rarely takes control, focusing instead on monitoring the autonomous system and ensuring operational safety, while the bus captain moves through the cabin assisting passengers and maintaining service quality. This two-person structure divides the traditional driver role into one focused on technology management and another on passenger engagement, showing that autonomy is not eliminating the human role but redefining it through collaboration between people and technology.

Across the world, agencies are now taking similar steps to prepare their workforce. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) Singapore, for example, is retraining its existing bus captains (drivers) to become Safety Operators for autonomous fleets. This kind of structured transition shows that upskilling is not a reaction to automation but part of a proactive strategy to integrate it safely and sustainably.

🧭 Why Human Oversight for Public Transportation Still Matters

While training prepares the workforce for change, the presence of humans in automated transit also meets a social need. Research by Carnegie Mellon University revealed through in-depth interviews and field observations that bus operators already perform essential social and safety functions that technology cannot replace. They assist passengers with disabilities, respond to emergencies, and maintain safety and order on board. The same study also found that passengers, particularly women and older riders, feel more secure when a staff member is present, linking human oversight to safety, accountability, and trust. The authors call for a human-centered automation model, where technology supports rather than replaces the operator, ensuring that human expertise, empathy, and decision-making remain integral to automated transit systems. These findings reinforce that human presence is not only operationally necessary but also vital for inclusivity and public confidence in automation.

Similarly, governments are beginning to formalize this principle in policy. For example, California’s AB 96 law requires public transit agencies to consult labor unions before deploying autonomous vehicles and to ensure that qualified personnel remain part of daily operations. These efforts highlight that people are not a backup to autonomy but its foundation, ensuring reliability, accountability, and trust in an increasingly automated transit world.

🤖 The Human Side of Automation: Imagry’s Approach

At Imagry, the human element is not an afterthought — it is part of the design. Our HD-mapless, camera-based AI enables buses to operate safely in complex, real-world environments. Every decision is processed locally within the vehicle, giving operators real-time visibility and control without relying on cloud connectivity or pre-mapped routes.

This approach empowers transit agencies and their workforce. Because the Imagry system does not depend on costly infrastructure or high-definition maps, local teams can be trained quickly to oversee operations, monitor fleet performance, and manage routes independently. Technicians gain new skills in maintaining AI perception systems, and operators evolve into fleet supervisors who combine safety oversight with passenger service.

In practice, autonomy becomes a partnership between people and technology. Drivers remain central to safety, agencies retain control over their operations, and cities gain scalable, flexible, and cost-efficient public transport solutions.

Imagry’s mission is to make automation practical, sustainable, and human-centered — building technology that strengthens the people who keep our cities moving.

Autonomous Mobility Video Spotlight

Imagry was a Headline Partner at the Autonomy London Mobility Summit 2025, held July 9–10 in the heart of London. This clip features Imagry CEO Eran Ofir speaking on the roundtable “Scaling Autonomous Transport to Break Even.”

Watch this video to hear his insights on what it takes to make autonomous mobility financially sustainable and scalable.

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Autonomous Mobility News & Events

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Autonomous Mobility Career Opportunities

We’re building more than autonomy. We’re building a team that dares to do what others say is impossible.

We value people who chase hard problems not credit. Who ask better questions. Who stay curious. Who care about the mission, not job titles. And we know that to build the future, we need all kinds of minds.

If that sounds like you, we’d love to meet you.

See our open positions here.

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