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| Downtown Autonomous Circulator will operate along Marion Transitway |
HART has
teamed up with FDOT to address
current mobility needs in Downtown Tampa
FDOT has indicated that up to $1 million in funding will be
available to fund an Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Circulator Service connection
between Marion Transit Center (MTC) to Downtown Tampa along the low speed,
controlled access Marion Street Transitway. This project would be one of the
first of its kind in the U.S. utilizing autonomous technology and has the
potential to solve local transportation issues.
This funding gives HART the opportunity to take the first
step in a major technology project and, working with third party providers, to
bring Autonomous Vehicle Technology to the Tampa Bay region. For the next two
years, HART will receive $500,000 each year from FDOT to fund the project.
Funding for a third year will depend on the success of the program.
"We want to thank FDOT Secretary Paul Steinman for his
leadership in helping HART receive up to $1 million in funding from the Florida
Department of Transportation for this service," HART Chief Financial
Officer Jeff Seward said. "We will utilize our experience in multi-modal
solutions to work with our partners to provide much-needed relief to address
mobility needs in Downtown Tampa."
This project is part of a larger vision that HART has to
bring innovative technology to the Tampa Bay area while diversifying its array
of options to deliver service to the Tampa Bay region. Autonomous vehicles can
supplement the HART transit network with first-mile last-mile service, or
enhance options to underserved areas.
In late November, HART plans to conduct an Industry day for
interested parties, which will coincide with the fourth Annual Florida Automated Vehicles Summit in Downtown Tampa, an event dedicated to highlighting
Florida's progress in preparing for automated vehicles.
The Downtown Autonomous Circulator Service project will
complement local service provided by existing routes.
HART is committed to innovative solutions to solve our region's transportation issues!
HART is committed to innovative solutions to solve our region's transportation issues!
It's good to see HART doing something to address the issue, but all of the pod systems I'm aware of have limited passenger throughput. Because of this I can't help but wonder if the situation might be better addressed by improved conventional bus service, or by saving the money to be invested in the pod system to invest in monorail, light rail, or some higher throughout system.
ReplyDeleteWhat issue are they addressing? They are providing a new technology on a section of street that is already served by many buses.
DeleteThis is a pilot project. They are one of the first agencies in the country to try autonomous vehicles. Believe it or not your local transit agency is on the cutting edge.
Also, monorail and light rail are way more expensive than this...