In Denver, the cost for a pilot of self-driving low-speed shuttles was $150,000.

Autonomous shuttle test in Denver, CO.

Made Public Date
03/26/2019
Identifier
2019-SC00422
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Summary Information

In January 2019, Denver's Regional Transportation District launched a pilot of a low speed autonomous shuttle on public roads. The project's objectives are to:

  • Introduce AV technology safely on a public roadway in the Denver metro area
  • Provide additional connectivity between station and businesses and residential areas
  • Explore first/last mile solutions for future growth throughout the District
  • Test AV technology in a transit setting.

The agency leased EasyMile's 12-passenger self-driving, a four-wheel electric vehicle with no steering wheel or pedals, for its pilot. The shuttle operates on a 1-mile circulator route near the Denver airport following a regular bus route. It runs every 15 minutes from 10 AM to 6 PM on weekdays, mostly using public streets.

The EZ10 has no steering wheel or brake pedal and navigates autonomously using pre-mapped routes. It has a maximum speed of 25 mi/h, but the typical operating speed is 12 to 15 mi/h. An attendant is onboard to answer questions, and the vehicle is monitored remotely.

The cost of the pilot was estimated at $150,000.

System Cost

Autonomous shuttle bus operational test: $150K.

System Cost Subsystem