More Pilots and Actual Game Changer Possibilities

Columbus, Ohio - a city sorely in need of better schools, land use and a boost in economic development. The city, which has limited walkable neighborhoods and is currently split by highways and areas of true urban blight, is banking on its smart city plans, which now include an AV pilot. Lots of high hopes: "'This is just the beginning," said Jim Barna, the executive director of Drive Ohio. "We envision this really transforming us from a state that's known for agriculture and manufacturing to a state that's known for its advancements in technology.'"

The Columbus AV shuttle pilot, fare free for riders, will operate downtown near the COSI science museum (a great place for kids) and it will operate everyday for a year, traveling at speeds of up to 15 mph. Yet to be determined is whether service will continue once the year is up. Transit bus drivers are pissed and they are already protesting. The pilot will be using May Mobility AV shuttles. May Mobility is located in Ann Arbor, MI. One report states that passenger service will begin in December 2018.

Photo by Mechelle S. on Foursquare.

Maybe Columbus should bank instead on Graeter's ice cream, a homegrown business that has served its customers well since 1870 and has expanded way beyond the Midwest. The photo is from the Bexley location.

Bryan, Texas - A city in Southeast Texas with a walkable downtown and roadways that are controlled by the city rather than the state's department of transportation, TXDOT, Bryan will be launching an AV trolley - no tracks - with room for only six passengers (really four after the two staff per vehicle). The AVs will operate for"two hours each day between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM, Monday through Friday. After these first 30 days, there is an opportunity for the schedule to be modified."

The AV program is a partnership between Bryan and the Texas A&M Transportation Institute. Service will begin next month.

Some More Slow Shuttles in Europe

Luxembourg has launched two pilots this week, one in Luxembourg City and the other in Contern, both in time for Europe's Mobility Week (see video below). These use Navya vehicles.

Cheap AV pod

Is the AV DragonFly pod a harbinger of a game changer that will replace utopian visions of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) with more of the auto-centric landscape we have now? Yes, it is only meant for private or quiet roadways; yes, it only travels at speeds of up to a meagre 20 mph. BUT the DragonFly only costs $40,000 - quite affordable for individuals who live in retirement or closed communities, and affordable for colleges and universities, for office parks, and places like airports. The DragonFly is manufactured by a company called PerceptIn, which has offices in California and China.

Renault is expanding on its EZ-Go AV concept design with adaptable truck/pop-up shop pods that could operate solo or in Brio-like convoys. Yes, it has been pointed out that the Renault announcement comes on the heels of last week's Ikea AV adaptable pods that can be used as mobile offices, medical clinics, or hotel rooms, among other uses.

Pretty soon, we'll be living and traveling in AV tiny house/offices and eating at pop-up food truck parks.