333-Enhancing Mobility with Automated Shuttles and Buses
Date and Time: Wednesday, July 20: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Royal AB
Federal Transit Administration Strategic Transit Automation Research Plan Update
Steven Mortensen
MODERATORS AND ORGANIZERS
MODERATORS
Katie Turnbull, Executive Associate Director, Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Elizabeth Machek, Technology Policy Analyst, Volpe National Transportation Systems Center
ORGANIZERS
Katie Turnbull, Executive Associate Director, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, Chair and Session Contact
Elizabeth Machek, Technology Policy Analyst, Volpe National Transportation Systems Center
Joshua Cregger, Technology Policy Analyst, Volpe National Transportation Systems Center
Cynthia Jones, Project Manager, DriveOhio
Lily Elefteriadou, Professor, University of Florida
SESSION DESCRIPTION AND AGENDA
Participants will learn the latest information on automated shuttles and buses, which continue to be demonstrated and deployed in downtown areas, university campuses, business parks, airports, and other areas. These services focus on enhancing mobility and accessibility on regular routes, proving first and last mile trips, and improving transportation options for individuals with disabilities. The session will share recent experiences with automated shuttles and buses, including insights from rider surveys, technology applications, and stakeholder outreach activities. Participants will be engaged in discussing best practices, issues and opportunities in expanding applications of automated shuttles and buses, and approaches to address the needs of different user groups. The information generated from the session will assist in evaluating this mobility option to help inform development and operation decision making, identify research needs, and support future deployments.
10:30 AM – 10:35 AM Welcome and Introductions
• Katie Turnbull, Texas A&M Transportation Institute
10:35 AM – 11:30 AM Updates on Automated Shuttles and Research Activities,
Including Accessibility Considerations
• MedCity Mover, Rochester Minnesota Automated Shuttle – Thomas Johnson-Kaiser, Minnesota Department of Transportation
• I-STREET, Gainesville, Florida – Pruthvi Manjunatha, University of Florida
• Introducing Arlington RAPID to Disabled Individuals, Katie Turnbull, Texas A&M Transportation Institute
• CTfastrak Automated Buses, Lisa Rivers, Connecticut Department of Transportation
• Update on Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Activities, Steve Mortensen, Federal Transit Administration, Elizabeth Machek and Joshua Cregger, Volpe National Transportation Systems Center
11:30 AM – 11:50 AM Question & Answer and Interactive Exercise
• Joshua Cregger and Elizabeth Machek, Volpe National Transportation Systems Center
Participants will engage in an interactive exercise discussing key issues and opportunities to advance automated shuttles buses to serve all users.
11:50 AM – Noon Next Steps and Follow-Up Activities
GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND OUTPUTS
• Learn the latest on automated shuttle and bus demonstrations and deployments, including the results of rider surveys and use by disabled individuals.
• Discuss opportunities and issues with deploying automated shuttles and buses in a post-pandemic environment, including meeting the needs of travelers with disabilities.
• Identify research needs, possible problem statements, and potential demonstrations and deployments.
• Discuss methods and opportunities for ongoing communication and collaboration.
333-Enhancing Mobility with Automated Shuttles and Buses
Description