A new autonomous vehicle (AV) from Beep Inc. will be introduced to Altamonte Springs residents as part of an AV pilot shuttle project with the launch of CraneRIDES in the Uptown Altamonte area. CraneRIDES is an environmentally friendly and proactive initiative to extend mobility and access to goods and services for residents, visitors and businesses in Altamonte Springs.
The city will serve as a testbed for the AV shuttle project and provide data on implementing the technology in other municipalities for Florida's Department of Transportation (FDOT). To onboard this new pilot project, FDOT awarded a service development grant, which provides 50 percent funding of the $2.4 million for the first three years of operation.
"The state has a vested interest in developing multiple modes of transportation that can efficiently move people. Autonomous vehicles can be part of the solution," said FDOT District 5 Secretary John E. Tyler. "With the hundreds of people moving to Florida every day, building new roads cannot be our only focus. Our partnership with the city of Altamonte Springs creates a scalable, replicable model that other Florida communities can now evaluate through hands-on experience because of our CraneRIDES AV partnership with the city."
Within three years, the 100 percent electric AV shuttle network in Altamonte Springs will provide residents and visitors first and last-mile connectivity from Uptown Altamonte, the city's main retail business center, to the Altamonte Springs SunRail Station – Central Florida's commuter rail service.
"Altamonte Springs has a rich history in pioneering many high-profile initiatives over the years, with the goal of preparing our city for the future," said Altamonte Springs City Manager Frank Martz. "The data and lessons learned from our project will serve as a blueprint for other cities on utilizing autonomous shuttles to create greater access for everyone."
The first phase of CraneRIDES will test two electric AV shuttles on a nearly 1.5-mile route connecting Altamonte Mall, Renaissance Center, Cranes Roost and AMC Theatre. Residents and visitors who use the AV shuttle network can experience the vehicles seven days a week by utilizing one of four stops along the route.
Futures phases of the Altamonte Springs project will further expand and enhance passenger services with the introduction of these new vehicles and extend connectivity to the AdventHealth Altamonte campus, Altamonte Springs SunRail Station and CenterPointe, a planned 55-acre mixed-use development with a hotel, retail establishments and residential living.
"We're excited to join the Altamonte Springs community to help enhance the lives of residents with safe, sustainable and accessible autonomous mobility networks," said Beep CEO Joe Moye. "Advancing these important transportation alternatives requires testing these vehicles in practical use cases where the public can experience improved mobility on quieter, safer streets. I can't say enough about the vision of the Altamonte Springs leadership for their efforts in leading the way in this important area of transformation."
