The City of Toronto has signed an agreement with Local Motors by LM Industries to deliver the City’s planned Automated Shuttle Trial, set to begin operating next Spring.
Local Motors, in partnership with Pacific Western Transportation, will provide this service using Olli 2.0, the latest iteration of its electric, self-driving shuttle. With a seating capacity of up to eight passengers, Olli is equipped with an accessibility ramp and a wheelchair securement system, along with audio and visual announcements and other features for rider information. An on-board safety steward will oversee vehicle operations and can manually take control of the vehicle at any time when required.
In order to monitor and learn from the six-month to 12-month trial, two staff members, a certified operator from Pacific Western Transportation and one customer service ambassador from either TTC or Metrolinx, will be on board for every trip.
The agreement demonstrates the commitment from the City, TTC and Metrolinx to learn more about the future role of automated shuttles in public transit delivery. The service will connect the West Rouge neighbourhood and Rouge Hill GO station, and will be coordinated with GO Transit schedules. Appropriate cleaning and operational practices will follow TTC practices and standards at the time of launch.
The Automated Shuttle Trial is delivered in partnership with TTC and Metrolinx, with funding from Transport Canada – under the program to Advance Connectivity and Automation in the Transportation System. The trial is part of Toronto’s Automated Vehicles Tactical Plan and Readiness 2022 which is the first comprehensive automated vehicles plan for a North American city.
Local Motors, the world’s first and only digital vehicle manufacturer, has deployed Olli in business parks, neighborhoods, and other communities around the world in low-speed environments, including in California, Florida and Belgium, in partnership with local municipalities and transit agencies. Pacific Western Transportation has led other Canadian automated shuttle trials in Alberta and British Columbia. Local Motors was awarded the contract to supply the temporary service through a competitive request for proposal (RFP) process issued in December 2019.
More information about the Automated Shuttle Trial.
Learn more about the City’s work to prepare for automated vehicles as well as this Automated Vehicles Tactical Plan.
More information about the projects funded by Transport Canada iincluding the Advance Connectivity and Automation in the Transportation System.
Quotes:
“We are continuing to move our city forward on many fronts including micro transit as we manage the effects of COVID-19. This innovative project will provide valuable insight, while embracing innovation that could help us build a better, more sustainable and equitable transportation network.”
– Mayor John Tory
“I’m looking forward to welcoming the Automated Shuttle Trial, planned for Spring 2021, to the West Rouge neighbourhood. As a city, we must be ready to explore how micro-transit and emerging technologies can connect people to existing transit services and contribute to Toronto’s transportation future.”
– Councillor Jennifer McKelvie (Ward 25, Scarborough Rouge-Park), TTC Board Member
“As a pioneer in sustainable mobility, our goal is to deliver safe and proven autonomous solutions to all, and this deployment is a major step in advancing the Local Motors mission. We can’t wait to introduce the City of Toronto to Olli, as we know that it will provide riders with a unique, easily accessible, and comfortable experience.”
– Vikrant Aggarwal, President, Local Motors
Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.
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Media contact: Media Relations, media@toronto.ca