The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) announced in June, 2017 that it will begin testing the safe use of an autonomous shuttle bus in a cold-weather climate to position itself as a leader in this fast emerging technology area. MnDOT chose EasyMile—a France-based company specializing in driverless technology—to lead its autonomous shuttle bus pilot project. By doing so, MnDOT will influence national policy, and prepare Minnesota transportation owners and stakeholders for the future.
Jay Hietpas, MnDOT-State Traffic Engineer and Project Manager said, “We’re excited to partner with EasyMile to help MnDOT test autonomous technology. Their expertise will help us learn how these vehicles operate in a winter-weather environment so we can advance this technology and position MnDOT and Minnesota as a leader.”
EasyMile has conducted driverless technology cold-weather tests in Finland and Norway. Although there is a location in Colorado, Minnesota will be EasyMile’s first cold-weather test site in the United States. EasyMile will use its “EZ10 electric shuttle bus” that has already transported 160,000 people more than 60,000 miles in 14 countries. The shuttle was tested in various environments and traffic conditions. During these tests, the shuttle operated crash-free.
The shuttle operates autonomously at low speeds on pre-mapped routes. It can transport between six and 12 people. It operates 3 modes of operation: Metro, Bus, or On-Demand.
Initially, it will be tested at MnROAD—MnDOT’s pavement test facility. Testing will include how the shuttle operates in snow and ice conditions, at low temperatures, and on roads where salt is used—identifying risks and challenges for future implementation efforts. Testing is scheduled to begin November 2017, and continue through February 2018. The shuttle will also be showcased during the week of the 2018 Super Bowl.
Hietpas said 3M will also be a partner in the project, so the company can research various connected vehicle concepts including sensor enhancement and advanced roadway safety materials. When optimized, these materials would aid in safe human and machine road navigation.
For the MnROAD release, please go to: https://mntransportationresearch.org/2017/10/04/mndot-chooses-easymile-for-autonomous-shuttle-bus-project/.
To read more about the autonomous shuttle bus pilot project, please click below:
• MnDOT press release
• MnDOT Autonomous Bus Pilot Project website
• MnDOT Research project page
• EasyMile website
• MnDOT’s MnROAD facility
To view the VIDEO correlated with this article titled, ““EasyMile” Driverless Shuttle to be Cold-Weather Tested by MnROAD”, please go to: https://www.concretepavements.org/2017/10/06/easymile-driverless-shuttle-to-be-cold-weather-tested-by-mnroad/