Tohoku University Begins Testing E-Methane On-Demand Shuttle Between Seiryo and Katahira Campuses
Tohoku University conducts a pilot test of an on-demand campus shuttle service on the Seiryo–Katahira route from July 1, 2025 (Tue) to February 3, 2026 (Tue). This project is part of the university’s efforts to promote a green society and achieve carbon neutrality on university campuses. It is being implemented under the “Carbon Neutral Mobility System” initiative, which is part of the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (CSTI), Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP), the 3rd Phase theme, “Smart energy management system,” using university campuses as a testbed.
For this pilot program, Tohoku University is collaborating with IHI Corporation and WILLER, Inc. The project introduces e-methane fueled vehicles to evaluate both the decarbonization potential and the improvement of mobility convenience through next-generation transportation services. The on-demand campus shuttle is a ride-sharing service that uses a dedicated app, allowing users to select virtual bus stops. An AI-powered routing system then optimizes vehicle dispatching for efficiency.
Currently, the service is available free of charge to Tohoku University faculty, staff, and students. The service operates on weekdays between the Seiryo and Katahira campuses from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Based on the pilot results— particularly regarding increased use of public transport and emission reduction— the university plans to expand the service to more users and a wider area in the future.
Related Information
- Poster
- Tohoku University Pilot Test of On-Demand Campus Shuttle
- SIP “Carbon-neutral Mobility System” website (in Japanese)
- Profile of Prof. Ando
Contact
Strategic Public Relations Office
Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University
| Tel: | +81-22-217-6146 |
|---|---|
| E-mail: | aimr-outreach@grp.tohoku.ac.jp |