Skip to main content

AECOM sets up Automated Bus Consortium

AECOM has brought together around a dozen local US transit agencies to form the Automated Bus Consortium to explore driverless bus pilot programmes. Among the authorities are Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. ABC is looking into buying up to 100 full-sized autonomous buses that will run at normal speeds along designated urban routes. Meanwhile, AECOM will provide planning, assessment, implementation and
June 10, 2019 Read time: 2 mins

3525 AECOM has brought together around a dozen local US transit agencies to form the Automated Bus Consortium to explore driverless bus pilot programmes.

Among the authorities are 1275 Dallas Area Rapid Transit, 1795 Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the 4162 Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority.

ABC is looking into buying up to 100 full-sized autonomous buses that will run at normal speeds along designated urban routes. Meanwhile, AECOM will provide planning, assessment, implementation and evaluation of the services for the consortium members.

The plan calls for a 12-month feasibility study followed by buses rolling out onto roads between 2021 and 2022. Each agency will make their own decisions regarding future additional automated bus purchases and deployment following the completion of the feasibility phase.

AECOM said it will host a forum in Detroit, Michigan, in September for ABC members to meet technology companies and bus manufacturers to discuss the development of programme specifications. Buses are expected to roll out onto the members’ streets within two years.

Related Content

  • How to overcome the technical and commercial challenges of MaaS
    January 8, 2024
    The UK government has attempted to unleash the possibilities of MaaS with the publication of a code of practice. Alan Dron takes look at how it might help encourage implementation
  • Egis, Systra to carry out design studies for Medina metro
    March 16, 2015
    The Medina Metro Development Authority (MMDA) has awarded Egis, in association with Systra, a contract to carry out the design studies for the future metro network in Medina. The contract covers three lines (green, blue, red) stretching a total of 95 kilometres, including 25 kilometres underground and 48 kilometres overhead. The project is part of an ambitious plan initiated over the past few years by Saudi Arabia to develop and modernise its transport infrastructure. As the second holy city in the country,
  • Underinvestment in infrastructure threatens economic growth
    January 24, 2012
    The 2011 Urban Mobility Report from the Texas Transportation Institute highlights the dangers of continued underinvestment in transportation infrastructure but also offers some hope in terms of possible solutions
  • North Carolina explores Hyperloop feasibility
    July 17, 2019
    North Carolina’s Regional Transportation Alliance (RTA) is exploring the feasibility of Hyperloop as a potential regional and inter-city transportation platform. Virgin Hyperloop One and consortium partner Aecom discussed the findings and implications of a pre-feasibility hyperloop study at a recent RTA event. The study included example corridors which could connect Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Raleigh-Durham International Airport near the Research Triangle Park as well as a hyperloop network across