ANN ARBOR (WWJ) - An automated shuttle is being tested with plans to have it transporting people in Detroit this summer, officials say.
The City of Detroit, University of Michigan and May Mobility announced in a press release that they are working together to test an automated shuttle that officials say will offer free transportation for adults 65 years and older and people with disabilities in Detroit.
The vehicle is being tested at the Mcity Test Facility, which is described in the press release as the “world’s first purpose-built environment for testing connected and automated vehicles and technologies under controlled, realistic conditions.”
"Automated vehicles have the potential to make transportation safer and cleaner while ensuring equitable access to mobility options," Henry Liu, Mcity Director and Bruce D. Greenshields Collegiate Professor of Engineering, said in the press release. "But only if consumers can trust the vehicles are safe. We believe the Mcity Safety Assessment Program could serve as the blueprint for a publicly visible safety framework, helping to bring automated vehicle technology to market in a manner that truly benefits society."
The Mcity Safety Assessment Program is a two-part test.
According to the press release, the test includes “A ‘Driver’s License Test’ that serves a purpose similar to a human driver’s test, measuring basic competency in ordinary scenarios. A ‘Driving Intelligence Test’ that challenges AV software with a diverse set of dangerous driving scenarios—representing those that most often result in crashes, injuries and fatalities.”
Mcity uses a combination of physical obstacles, such as vehicles and infrastructure as well as computer-simulated obstacles like people and other objects, experts said.
"We are excited that the rigorous self-driving shuttle testing is underway with Mcity," Tony Geara, Deputy Chief of the City of Detroit’s Office of Mobility Innovation, said in the press release. "This thorough evaluation process underscores the City of Detroit's commitment that self-driving technology will be safe and effective before it is on our streets. We are starting this ambitious pilot project with the Mcity Safety Assessment Program as a critical step toward learning how self-driving vehicles can effectively serve real community needs in Detroit."
The rigorous testing will also include “extended high-speed testing” at the American Center for Mobility in Ypsilanti.
"From design to launch and beyond, we have embedded strong safety practices into all of our processes," Satvir Singh, Director of Product Safety at May Mobility, said in the press release.
There are concerns about the safety of driverless vehicles due to recent vehicle crashes. The press release said there will be a”safety operator” on board each shuttle.
“The deployment of the shuttles will feature a skilled safety operator on board in each May Mobility vehicle,” the press release said. “These operators will be available to answer questions and assist wheelchair users when boarding and exiting the shuttle.”
People who are looking for more information on the vehicles or to see if they qualify can visit https://detroitmi.gov/government/mayors-office/office-mobility-innovation/detroit-ads-self-driving-shuttles