The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has launched a six-month pilot program to test new bus technologies that enhance safety for operators and all road users. Thirty TTC buses have been outfitted with advanced systems that alert operators and nearby pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists of potential collisions. 

The pilot also includes new in-vehicle displays designed to reduce blind spots and improve operator visibility.

“Our bus operators all receive extensive training to ensure they have the tools and knowledge to keep everyone safe,” said TTC CEO Mandeep S. Lali. “These new technologies, if they prove helpful, could be another step we take to help reduce the risk of collisions.”

How the Tech Works

Pedestrians and cyclists outside TTC buses may hear two warnings: “Caution, bus approaching” when near a moving bus and “Danger, step back” when there is an imminent risk of collision. Inside the bus, operators receive collision warnings through a flashing panel and an audible alert. 

The warnings are based on the distance between buses and nearby objects, as well as the speed at which they are traveling.

Pilot buses will run along several routes, all of which are heavily used by pedestrians, motorists, and cyclists. The goal is to determine each technology's effectiveness, incorporate lessons learned into future bus procurements, and consider whether the systems should be retrofitted into the existing bus fleet. 

The TTC performed controlled testing of both technologies in 2025. Similar driver-assist technologies are used in other transit systems, such as York Region, Chicago, and Boston, according to the agency.