Skip to main content

First Transit launches AV pilot

US-based First Transit, in partnership with EasyMile, is to carry out the first autonomous vehicle (AV) passenger shuttle pilot in North America, at the 585 acre Bishop Ranch Office Park in San Ramon, California. The shuttle will connect tenants to multiple transit options including bus, bike and car-sharing services. The AV passenger shuttle is designed to travel short distances using pre-programmed routes. Each shuttle can carry 12 passengers and can operate for 14 hours on a battery charge; it is equi
December 12, 2016 Read time: 1 min
US-based First Transit, in partnership with 8246 EasyMile, is to carry out the first autonomous vehicle (AV) passenger shuttle pilot in North America, at the 585 acre Bishop Ranch Office Park in San Ramon, California. The shuttle will connect tenants to multiple transit options including bus, bike and car-sharing services.

The AV passenger shuttle is designed to travel short distances using pre-programmed routes. Each shuttle can carry 12 passengers and can operate for 14 hours on a battery charge; it is equipped with a sensor and intelligent vehicle system to detect obstacles and avoid collisions.

The shuttle will run a fixed-route stopping at designated stops within the office park. The pilot will begin with two vehicles, each with a customer service agent onboard for passenger questions and information.

First Transit is also providing onsite personnel to provide maintenance for the AV passenger shuttles at a facility provided by EasyMile.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Traffic management to the fore at Vision 2014
    December 8, 2014
    Colin Sowman reviews some of the traffic-related exhibits at the 2014 Vision Show in Stuttgart. Traffic was a major theme at this years’ Vision Show in Stuttgart and several manufacturers used the exhibition to highlight their traffic-related equipment and applications.
  • Focus with Genetec’s AutoVu SharpV camera
    August 19, 2021
    Genetec’s newest AutoVu SharpV ALPR has motorised lenses with zoom and auto-focus
  • Bosch and Daimler to trial automated ride-hailing service in San José
    November 14, 2018
    Bosch and Daimler will trial an automated driving (Level 4/5) ride-hailing service in San José, California, during the second half of 2019. SAE International (formerly the US Society of Automotive Engineers) has established Level 4 as the vehicle’s ability to operate independently while allowing the driver to go to sleep or leave their seat. Level 5 is classified as fully autonomous and does not require human intervention. Dr. Michael Hafner, vice president drive technologies and automated driving at Da
  • NextBus meets the demand for real-time passenger information
    December 18, 2014
    Cubic Transportation Systems’ subsidiary, NextBus has been awarded three prestigious contracts totalling more than US$4.3 million for its in-demand real-time passenger information systems (RTPI) product suite. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has exercised an option with NextBus valued at US$2 million under a contract awarded in 2013. The contract includes the RTPI system that NextBus hosts for Muni as well as maintaining onboard hardware, bus shelter signs and LCDs in subways.