Imagine an automated public street shuttle — without a driver or steering wheel — that can transport eight to 16 people safely to a nearby transit stop, doctor office or store. It’d be especially nice for kids, the disabled or others without a driver license.
The pilot project by the Utah Department of Transportation and the Utah Transit Authority will be an early ambassador both to demonstrate and figure out what may be possible with autonomous vehicles in the near future.
The shuttle is scheduled to debut next month at the Utah Capitol for the Legislature, and then go on a yearlong tour around the state to let residents and transportation officials kick the tires and experiment with what it may do in a variety of scenarios, locations and seasons.