Self-Driving Shuttles Find New Uses During Pandemic
Local governments found themselves with pressing needs during the pandemic, and pilot programs testing automated shuttles stepped up to help — for example, by delivering COVID-19 tests and meals.
At the recent Smart Cities Connect Conference & Expo city transportation leaders discussed how autonomous vehicle shuttle programs were re-imagined during the pandemic to transport items like food deliveries and COVID-19 tests.
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The COVID-19 pandemic pumped the brakes on some autonomous shuttle projects last year, while others reimagined their projects to serve more immediate community needs.
The AV shuttle program in Columbus, Ohio, set up to serve a 2.7-mile route in an underserved community with four stops, was transitioned into a meal delivery service.