Self-Driving Bus Tested in Sälen

This winter marks the start of Sweden’s first test of a self-driving electric bus in a mountain environment. The project SIKTA – Sälen Idre Autonomous Public Transport aims to demonstrate how the technology performs in winter conditions and to contribute to sustainable, accessible travel in the mountain region. Trivector Traffic, specialised in sustainable mobility and public transport, spoke with Tiina Ohlsson, project manager at Malung-Sälen Municipality, about the tests now being launched.

Behind the project stands Malung-Sälen Municipality, together with technology companies, researchers, and ski resorts. Collaboration has been a key factor from the start.
“We need many perspectives to make everything work – from technology to permits,” says Tiina Ohlsson, project manager at Malung-Sälen Municipality.

The project is funded by Vinnova, Sweden’s innovation agency, with additional contributions from Region Dalarna and private partners.

Testing in Winter Conditions

Running until 2027, the project includes two test routes – the first between Hundfjället and Tandådalen in Sälen, and the second between Idre Fjäll and Idre Himmelfjäll next season.

The goal is to see how a self-driving bus manages real winter traffic with snow, cold, and steep slopes. The electric bus is equipped with lidar, sensors, GPS, and winter tires. During the test period, a safety driver will always be behind the wheel, ready to take manual control if needed but otherwise letting the bus drive itself.

“The mountain environment is a challenge. In winter, unexpected things happen – like heavy snowfall that requires plowing. Sometimes the snow has to be placed elsewhere, which can affect the pre-programmed route. These are exactly the conditions we want to test and learn from,” says Tiina.

The project is not intended to replace existing services but to complement them, while building knowledge for future applications in public transport.

Valuable Lessons Before the Start

Even before the bus starts rolling, the project has brought key insights into permits, insurance, and contracts.
“We knew permits would be required, but didn’t expect the agreements and insurance parts to be so complex. It’s been a long but valuable journey,” says Tiina.

The team has also learned from others. Through contact with similar pilots in Linköping, Stavanger, and Gothenburg, they’ve gained valuable insights into both technology and processes.
“It’s important to share knowledge between projects so that development moves faster and collective expertise grows,” says Tiina.

Technology, Safety, and Passengers

Beyond the technical aspects, an important part of SIKTA is understanding how people feel about traveling without a driver. Together with Dalarna University, researchers will explore issues of safety, trust, and acceptance.
“We’re used to new technology in Sweden, but traveling without a driver is something completely new. It’ll be exciting to see how people react,” says Tiina.

She views the test as a key step toward building trust in future autonomous transport systems.

Towards the Future of Sustainable Travel

The Sälen test is the first in Sweden to try self-driving public transport in mountain terrain and winter conditions. Technology providers describe it as one of their most significant pilot projects.
“This isn’t about introducing autonomous traffic right away, but developing the technology for our conditions. In the future, such buses could be used at events or in areas where it’s hard to find drivers,” says Tiina.

She highlights that collaboration between municipalities, business, and academia has been a decisive success factor.
“Up here, it’s really a case of ‘we do this together.’ That has made all the difference.”

Tiina also calls for a national coordination function to strengthen Sweden’s work with autonomous transport.
“There are many valuable tests going on around the country, but we still work too much in isolation. To move forward, we need a place to meet, share experiences, and build collective knowledge,” she says.
She believes a national coordinator could drive joint learning and accelerate progress.
“With such a function, we can build on the experiences from different projects and together pave the way for autonomous transport as part of sustainable public mobility.”

The Road Ahead

On January 14, the first test route in Sälen will be inaugurated. Trivector is closely following the project and sees SIKTA as a sign that the public transport of the future will be electric, autonomous, and collaborative.

For Trivector, SIKTA clearly shows how essential it is for municipalities, industry, and academia to join forces to test and implement new technology in real-world conditions. By working together, challenges like permits and technical issues can be solved faster – and new knowledge built collectively.