A $5 million New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Local Transportation Project Fund Grant was awarded to the city of Trenton for its Trenton Mobility & Opportunity: Vehicles Equity System (MOVES) Project.
The grant will support the planned start up and eventual deployment of 100 autonomous vehicles (AVs) that will provide an on-demand automated transit system to serve the 90,000 residents of Trenton.
“The Trenton MOVES project is an innovative solution to a longstanding transit deficit in the city of Trenton,” said New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. “Using autonomous vehicle technology to combat inequities and to provide improved transportation in urban areas is a laudable and much needed effort. I am excited to see this project moving forward with the help of NJDOT, Mayor Gusciora and Princeton University.”
“This innovative project has the potential to turn one of Trenton’s greatest weaknesses into one of its biggest strengths,” added Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora. “Trenton MOVES will put the latest technology at the disposal of seniors, students, state workers and thousands of other residents who will now have a low-cost solution to overcome our well-known transportation challenges. I’m incredibly grateful to Governor Murphy and the NJ Department of Transportation under Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti for this unprecedented investment in the Capital City.”
In Trenton, 70 percent of households only have one car or no car at all. This project will allow residents to utilize a new form of low cost, environmentally friendly and efficient transportation. The Trenton MOVES project is being developed by the Governor’s Office, NJ Department of Transportation, the city of Trenton and Princeton University.
NJDOT has offered a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) to help gather information from firms in the design, build-out and operation of a safe, equitable, affordable, sustainable and efficient on-demand automated vehicle shuttle system for Trenton.
The project goals and specifications of the RFEI are available online.
The deadline for the RFEI response is Feb. 25, 2022. NJDOT may issue formal requests for Qualifications or Proposals, following the solicitation of RFEIs. However, responses to the RFEI will not necessarily impact or be connected to the call for Proposals or Qualifications.
