Toronto’s first self-driving shuttle bus is out on the road
Source:BlogTO
From:Taiwan Trade Center, Toronto
Update Time:2021/12/24
Toronto is getting a trial batch of self-driving shuttles which are set to hit the road in Spring 2021.
Local Motors, in partnership with Pacific Western Transportation, will provide the service using Olli 2.0 — the latest micro-transit vehicle. It is latest iteration of the electric, self-driving shuttle.
“We are continuing to move our city forward on many fronts including micro-transit as we manage the effects of COVID-19,” said Mayor John Tory.
“This innovative project will provide valuable insight, while embracing innovation that could help us build a better, more sustainable and equitable transportation network.”
The service will connect Toronto's West Rouge neighborhood and Rouge Hill GO Transit train station, and will be coordinated with GO Transit schedules.
Olli 2.0 has a seating capacity of up to eight passengers, has an accessibility ramp, a wheelchair securement system, audio and visual announcements and other features for rider information.
An on-board safety steward will oversee vehicle operations and can manually take control of the vehicle at any time when required.
Two staff members, a certified operator from Pacific Western Transportation and one customer service ambassador from either the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) or Metrolinx, will be on board for every trip to monitor and learn from the six-month to 12-month trial.
The trial is delivered in partnership with TTC and Metrolinx, with funding from Transport Canada. In 2016, Ontario approved a ten-year pilot program to test automated vehicles on Ontario's roads.
“As a city, we must be ready to explore how micro-transit and emerging technologies can connect people to existing transit services and contribute to Toronto’s transportation future,” said Ward 25 councilor Jennifer McKelvie, who is excited to welcome the shuttle into her neighborhood.
Furthermore, the government of Canada recently announced its plans to eliminate combustible engine-run cars and light trucks by 2035 as part of its net-zero emissions goal to limit further global warming.
Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said in Jun. 2021 at a press conference over Zoom, that all new vehicles will be either electric, hybrid, or run on fuel such as hydrogen.
“We are working on strategy, the regulatory tools along with the investments that are going to be required,” Wilkinson said. “This is absolutely where the world is going.
“It’s a mandatory target.”
Wilkinson said the plan is very ambitious but is required in order to meet the net-zero emissions standards within the Paris Climate Agreement. Other countries are also implementing similar goals such as the United States and the United Kingdom.
He added they are following suit along with other leaders of eliminating and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. “We are committed to aligning Canada’s zero-emission vehicles sales targets with those of the most ambitious North American jurisdictions.”
Source: https://www.blogto.com/city/2020/10/toronto-self-driving-vehicles-future/