The City of Orlando has commenced a six-month autonomous shuttle pilot programme in partnership with the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (LYNX) and Beep.
The SWAN Shuttle (Shuttling With Autonomous Navigation) pilot aims to provide data and findings to guide the city’s future transportation strategy. It will explore how shared, electric and autonomous vehicles can enhance accessibility, improve the quality of life for residents and contribute towards the city’s sustainability targets.
LYNX CEO Tiffany Homler Hawkins said:We move thousands of customers each and every day. This partnership is an innovative way to test technology and understand how it will benefit our riders in a real-time setting that we believe will benefit the community for years to come.
The new fare-free SWAN Shuttle pilot will be available in Creative Village, Orlando from 20 August.
It will serve five stops along a one-mile route, connecting residents, vistitors and businesses in Creative Village and Parramore with LYNX Central Station and SunRail UCF/Valencia Downtown, Luminary Green Park, and EA Orlando Studio.
The shuttles will operate in the existing bus lane dedicated to the LYMMO Orange Line seven days a week from 10am to 2pm and 6:30pm to 10:30pm.
Beep CEO Joe Moye said:We are proud to be part of a forward-thinking and innovative community committed to the investment in technology that will improve the quality of life for its residents and the livability of our city. Our partnership with the City of Orlando and LYNX provides the collaboration necessary to ensure autonomous vehicles are tested safely so that we can incorporate community feedback and prepare for the coming era of autonomous electric transportation, which will improve road safety, decrease carbon emissions and extend mobility to everyone.
This pilot will add to Beep’s growing list of autonomous shuttle deployments across the US. This includes the country’s largest and longest-running autonomous shuttle network in Lake Nona, a living lab community in Orlando.
Beep’s national command centre in Lake Nona will also provide monitoring and oversight of the Creative Village SWAN Shuttle pilot.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said:The City of Orlando believes communities must be connected to thrive, and so we are always looking at new ways to embrace creative, innovative ways to do this. With the expansion of autonomous vehicle shuttles into our neighbourhoods, we can converge cutting-edge technology with new mobility solutions to further redefine the way our community moves. The SWAN Shuttle builds on our diverse network of mobility options and furthers our commitment to our residents, our environment and our future.
