Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) launched the Bay Area’s first autonomous shuttle programme to be open to the public.
In partnership with Beep, the Bishop Ranch Autonomous Shuttle Program will run through to autumn 2023, providing free, electric shuttles to four destinations within the Bishop Ranch business park in San Ramon, California.
The park has 30,000 employees and miles of private roadways, which intersect with public roads. The shuttles, which are monitored remotely by the Beep Command Center, carry eight passengers plus an attendant and have a maximum speed of 15mph.
Funded in part by an $8 million grant award from the Federal Highway Administration’s Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment programme, it will be available Monday to Friday from 7:30am – 5:30pm.
The service marks the launch of CCTA’s Presto, a programme designed to improve shared mobility options including bikes, scooters and express buses as well as autonomous shuttles.
“We’re excited to be able to provide the public with free access to these zero-emission, low-speed, autonomous shuttles," says CCTA board chair Federal Glover.
"The service can help cut down on harmful emissions, reduce congestion on our roads, and create a new, accessible connection to transportation hubs throughout Contra Costa County."
Joe Moye, Beep CEO, says: “CCTA shares our commitment to bringing these innovative technologies to communities to test how shared autonomous mobility can transform how we access goods and services. Our autonomous shuttles in San Ramon will provide all members of the community access to key destinations and opportunities at Bishop Ranch.”
