The half-mile system will be California-based Glydways’ first self-driving shuttle system.
A new autonomous shuttle project will create a half-mile loop connecting the Georgia International Convention Center and the Gateway Arena in south Atlanta, reports Omar Kardoudi in New Atlas.
The pilot project by California-based Glydways “marks the worldwide debut for the company's Automated Transit Network System” and uses electric vehicles on dedicated guideways to move passengers at a rate of up to 10,000 people per hour once the system is scaled, the company claims.
“Glydways says its guideway infrastructure deploys faster and cheaper than traditional rail systems, which can cost hundreds of millions of dollars to realize, though the company hasn't disclosed specific construction costs for the Atlanta pilot.” However, the system requires dedicated, specialized lanes, which the company says reduce maintenance costs and eliminate the need for drivers.
According to Kardoudi, “The real test isn't the technology – autonomous vehicles on dedicated lanes is fairly straightforward engineering. The test is whether the economics hold up at scale.” Otherwise, it’s just another version of the Simpsons’ iconic Monorail episode.
Read the full story: Atlanta to host first fully automated on-demand public transit system
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