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First Transit to pilot shared AV service with Houston Metro, TSU

Transit agency is launching a circulator on a one-mile pedestrian walking loop on the campus of Texas Southern University.

June 20, 2019
First Transit to pilot shared AV service with Houston Metro, TSU

Houston Metro is launching a circulator on a one-mile pedestrian walking loop on the campus of Texas Southern University.

First Transit

1 min to read


Houston Metro is launching a circulator on a one-mile pedestrian walking loop on the campus of Texas Southern University. First Transit

First Transit announces a shared autonomous vehicle (SAV) pilot with Houston METRO and Texas Southern University (TSU). This is the eighth SAV initiative for First Transit and the first-of-its-kind in the region, according to the company.

Houston Metro is introducing the University District Circulator on the campus of TSU. An EasyMile SAV shuttle will travel on the Tiger Walk, a one-mile pedestrian walking loop, providing connection to multiple points and buildings on campus for students and faculty.

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EasyMile has deployed 230 driverless projects with more than 380,000 people transported over 370,000 miles.

The SAV passenger shuttle can carry up to 12 passengers and is designed to travel using a pre-programmed route, equipped with a sensor and intelligent vehicle system to detect obstacles and avoid collisions.

First Transit is providing onboard customer service agents for the SAV passenger shuttles, system and project management, and maintenance operations.

The University District Circulator pilot will operate Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. and is open to university students, staff and visitors. Everyone is required to sign a consent form before riding.


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