Fairfax County and Dominion Energy are one step closer to launching an autonomous electric shuttle pilot program in the Merrifield area of Northern Virginia.
On Wednesday they announced a $250,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation for the pilot, making it the first state-funded autonomous public transportation demonstration project in Virginia. Fairfax County will add $50,000 to the DRPT grant.
The program's goal is for the county and Dominion to learn about aspects of deploying autonomous vehicles as part of a large public transportation system. Exact routes and a start date have not yet been announced, but the shuttle is tentatively planned to travel just under a mile between the Dunn Loring Metrorail Station and Mosaic in Merrifield.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will consider a formal partnership agreement between Fairfax County and Dominion Energy on June 25. As part of the proposal, Dominion would lease or buy the vehicle and Fairfax County would oversee operations.
The DRPT is providing demonstration funds to offset the cost of operations, and will be focused on evaluating how well the self-driving shuttles can provide first- and last-mile connections to transit. Shuttle rides will be free to the public, and won't require tickets or registration.
The project is subject to safety reviews by the Virginia Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the shuttles will be tested before passenger service begins, and a steward will be on board to monitor operations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ6eUI7-3NQ
