New Flyer, FTA partner for L.A. Metro research project

New Flyer of America Inc. has been named as an original equipment manufacturer partner on a U.S. Federal Transit Administration Safety Research and Demonstration (SRD) grant awarded to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), the company announced.

The SRD project commenced during the second quarter of 2017 and is anticipated for completion in 2020.

Metro seeks to reduce pedestrian, cyclist, and vehicle collisions using sensors for driver warning and assist. The SRD project team is responsible for evaluation of cost-effectiveness and practicality of selected collision-mitigation solutions, with New Flyer named as a partner to evaluate sensor-based collision-avoidance systems.

The technology assessment includes automated braking, as well as other sensors that can assist drivers with pedestrian warning, blind spot caution, and collision avoidance. The most technically feasible and commercially viable solutions will be included in a 50-bus evaluation.

New Flyer has bus service, parts, and manufacturing support at four California facilities, located in Ontario, Los Alamitos, Fresno, and Hayward.

Metro currently serves as the transportation planner, coordinator, designer, builder, and operator for over 9.6 million people spanning a 1,433-square-mile area.