Autonomous Vehicle News
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- As Grand Rapids’ free, driverless ride option pilot ramps up to go on-demand, the familiar low-speed shuttles were replaced last week by four road-grade Lexus SUV hybrids. The service along the DASH West route will discontinue in late July when the autonomous ride pilot transitions to an on-demand pickup model. A draft map of Grand Rapids' downtown and Westside where, in the dark green shaded areas, people will be within a five-minute walk of a driverless vehicle pickup point during the second phase of the pilot. (Grand Rapids)The pilot began in July 2019 as a way for Grand Rapids to assess the barriers and benefits of implementing self-driving shuttle services in the city. The city is putting forward $50,000 for the second phase, as well as contributing in-kind services, like website maintenance, communications, social media and stop infrastructure.