A Siemens tram is carrying passengers now, but the project remains a pilot as the tram is not commercially available.

The German city of Potsdam has a normal looking low floor tram with a unique feature. "The world’s first autonomous tram was launched in unspectacular style in the city of Potsdam, west of Berlin, on Friday," reports Kate Connolly. The vehicle from Siemens uses radar, lidar, and other sensors to avoid collisions with the traffic and pedestrians that cross its tracks. "Its makers say it is some way from being commercially viable, but they do expect it to contribute to the wider field of driverless technology, and have called it an important milestone on the way to autonomous driving," Connolly writes.
The tram is co-piloted by a human driver who watches the tracks as the green and white vehicle moves through the smallish German town.
FULL STORY: Germany launches world's first autonomous tram in Potsdam

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Cuomo Is the Candidate of Both NIMBYs and Developers. What Gives?
In the New York City mayoral race, odd bedfellows align to preserve the housing status quo.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

Charlottesville Temporarily Has No Zoning Code
A judge ordered the Virginia city to throw out its newly revised zoning code, leaving permitting for new development in legal limbo.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won
A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont