Utah DOT, UTA Join Forces on Express Bus Proposal, Autonomous Shuttle Pilot
editor@aashto.org April 19, 2019 0 COMMENTS
The Utah Department of Transportation and the Utah Transit Authority are joining forces on two projects: a 29-mile express bus service proposal to meet transit needs in the Mountain View corridor along with a one-year pilot test of an autonomous shuttle bus service.
[Above photo by Utah DOT.]
The proposed express bus service would serve four cities – West Jordan, Kearns, West Valley City and Salt Lake City, which includes the Salt Lake City International Airport and downtown areas – and would reportedly cost less to build, operate, and maintain than the current 5-mile bus rapid transit or BRT system being proposed for the corridor.
The two agencies are also jointly managing a one-year autonomous shuttle bus pilot program that will go on a statewide “tour” starting in May. The shuttle operates up to 15 miles per hour, follows a predetermined route, and reacts in “real-time” to other vehicles, pedestrians, and any obstacles that intervene in its path.
This Utah DOT noted that this autonomous shuttle will move to different communities throughout Utah over the course of a year to obtain public feedback about the technology.
RELATED ARTICLES
JULY 2020 UPDATE TO THE MATERIALS STANDARDS
Get more information and your copy now ▶️ https://bit.ly/2ARWbtn
COVID-19 “stay-at-home” orders in some states resulted in 50 to 60% decline in motor vehicle travel during the height of the pandemic. This sudden drop caused severe losses in motor fuel tax revenues and other fees, which state transportation programs depend on for funding. “Without those funds, state DOTs have had no choice but to furlough workers and delay or cancel nearly $10 billion in essential transportation projects,” says Jim Tymon, executive director of AASHTO said. “Those project delays will continue unless Congress intervenes. We’re talking about projects that improve roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. Congress has to get this done.”
Learn mor: https://bit.ly/3kCDXy5
Watch the latest "On Time with Tymon": https://bit.ly/30Ty9sc