The Alliance for Innovation recently recognized the City of Grand Rapids with an Outstanding Achievement in Local Government award for the city’s collaboration with May Mobility and its electric autonomous vehicle pilot.
Though the program was halted in March due to COVID-19 restrictions, the city had four electric autonomous vehicles with safety attendants in operation for eight months on the existing DASH West downtown circulator route, according the City of Grand Rapids website. The service included a wheelchair-accessible shuttle, which is available on request.
The city plans to return the vehicles to service in September, though there will be new procedures in place to ensure compliance with coronavirus-related restrictions.
“The challenges of pollution, congestion and transportation equity are persistent across the country, and our team has made the choice to take the lead in identifying and testing solutions,” Parking Services Director Josh Naramore said, according to the City of Grand Rapids website. “Creating the space and opportunities to test innovative solutions is foundational to progress."
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