The self-driving future is coming sooner than you might have expected—to a suburban office park in California's Bay Area.
"A fleet of self-driving buses will shuttle workers around a sprawling East Bay office park next year, the latest evidence that robot vehicles are swiftly moving from science fiction to reality," reports Matt O'Brien.
"French firm EasyMile, a joint venture between carmaker Ligier Group and high-tech company Robosoft, has partnered with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority on a pilot project at the 585-acre Bishop Ranch business park in San Ramon," adds O'Brien.
Tests will begin even earlier, on the roads of the former Concord Naval Weapons Station a few cities north of San Ramon. The office park that will eventually include the self-driving buses is home to companies like Chevron, PG&E and other big corporations.
EasyMile has already deployed its "its low-speed EZ10 shuttles — known as SDVs, or Shared Driverless Vehicles — in closed environments in Finland, France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland." The article also includes information about how the SDVs will be outfitted to fit the self-driving vehicle regulations of the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
FULL STORY: Self-driving buses coming to San Ramon office park
Driverless Van Tests Don't Pencil Out
While it might be easy to convince public officials to sell driverless technology as a flashy solution to mobility deficits—the math still doesn't justify the expense.
Retrofitting D.C.’s Suburbs for a New Era
How to equip suburban sprawl for a different future.
A New Life for the Suburban Office Park?
With more and more employers downsizing and moving to areas with more urban amenities, large suburban office parks offer an opportunity for increased density and mixed-use development.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)