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Austin Transportation makes smart mobility splash at SXSW
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One way Austin Transportation is getting the word out about our smart mobility future is through the above new video, released the day before the SXSW kickoff.
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Austin's smart mobility leaders are testing future technologies today. That's one reason Austin Transportation leaders and staff are sharing their expertise and ideas at SXSW this year about how the public and private sectors can work together to improve mobility using new technology that is connected, autonomous, shared and electric.
If you have a SXSW badge, you can catch Austin Transportation Director Rob Spillar and mobility leaders from other major cities at a panel discussion today at 3:30 p.m. called "How Cities will Drive Autonomous Vehicles." Hear how city leaders can maximize the benefits and minimize the challenges of this technology, how cities learn from the mistakes of the past and use autonomous vehicles to improve the lives of all residents, and more!
No badge? No problem! Our own Tien-Tien Chan, Transportation Planner, will be participating in a free panel called “The Future of Mobility in Cities” tonight at 5:30 p.m. at Easy Tiger. This panel will cover the evolution of how people move around cities and how shared use mobility—such as car-sharing, bike-sharing, and ride-sharing—can influence how cities are planned, built and managed. Registration is required.
Yesterday, Austin Transportation's new Assistant Director for Smart Mobility Jason JonMichael joined mobility leaders from the public and private sector for a panel entitled "Creating the Mobility System of Tomorrow" for a cutting-edge discussion about how cities, citizens and industry can collaborate to enable the mobility revolution.
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City of Austin launches electric-assist pedicab pilot
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Austin Transportation and Austin Energy held a media event for the pilot on Tuesday near the solar-powered kiosk on Electric Drive in the Seaholm EcoDistrict.
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Austin Transportation and Austin Energy have partnered to launch a pilot program enabling residents and visitors to ride in electric-assist pedicabs, or e-pedicabs, and provide feedback to City staff. The approximately one-year pilot involves inspecting, permitting and gathering data on a select number of pedicabs with motors that help drivers pedal up steep hills and travel longer distances.
Austin Transportation is outfitting each permitted e-pedicab with a special plate indicating its status and kicking off the input process by inviting riders to share feedback about their experiences in person during the Spring Festival Season. Riders throughout the pilot will also be given a link and QR code for an online survey via a sticker on each e-pedicab.
Austin Transportation will inspect each e-pedicab to meet safety and operational standards twice a year and staff is asking e-pedicab operators to share data about their routes and speeds with the City of Austin using the Strava app.
Austin Transportation and Austin Energy are key partners in an effort to test new and emerging transportation technology that could lead to more shared, electric mobility options and sustainable energy solutions for our growing city. Visit the Austin Transportation and Austin Energy e-pedicab webpages for more information.
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How to get around during Spring Festival Season/SXSW
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Thank you to those who took part in #ATXDetourDay! Missed out on changing your commute routine last Friday? No worries, you can still commute sustainably this week and check out the Spring Festival Season and SXSW.
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Click the video from SXSW for a brief walk-through on navigating downtown.
Don't forget about Capital Metro and B-cycle! |
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Once you're downtown, here are some travel options:
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Capital Metro (public transit)
CapMetro.org/Planner
App Store, Google Play, Windows
(512) 474-1200
Super Shuttle (airport shuttle)
supershuttle.com
(800) 258-3826
Taxi Cabs
Austin Cab Co.*
AustinCab.com
(512) 478-2222
ATX Coop Taxi
ATXcooptaxi.org
(512) 333-5555
LoneStar Cab Co.*
LoneStarCabAustin.com
(512) 836-4900
Yellow Cab Austin*
YellowCabAustin.com
Hail A Cab
Hailacabapp.com
(512) 452-9999
Limousine, black car, and charter services*
There are several companies available for prearranged, private transport.
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Transportation Network Companies (TNC) a.k.a. "ride-hailing"
Most apps available for download for both iOS and Android smartphones:
RideAustin*
RideAustin.com
Wingz*
(Offers pre-booked service only)
Wingz.me
Z-Trip*
zTrip.com
Lyft
Lyft.com
Uber
Uber.com
Pedicabs & Electric Low Speed Vehicles
Available to hail on-street for service within and around downtown. Just flag one down! View the list of pedicab companies.
*Available at airport
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Reference maps: Spring Festival street closures, SXSW loading zones, pedicab routes and active permits for reserved parking
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Use our online maps to plan your trips around Spring Festival and SXSW. From top, left to right: street closures, loading and unloading zones, pedicab routes and active parking permits.
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To plan well for getting around Spring Festival and SXSW, you can refer to ATD's CityStage events page which provides interactive maps and downloadable information on street closures, loading zones, pedicab routes and more. These maps reflect closures, routes, zones, and permits in effect through March 18, unless otherwise stated.
View street closures and lane reductions. This map also includes data layers about B-cycle bike-share kiosk locations and Capital Metro public transit special event routes and stops.
View designated 5-minute zones where passengers can load and unload. Do not leave vehicles unattended in these areas. Staging is not permitted.
Check available pedicab routes allowed through street closures, as well as dedicated pedicab staging and dismount areas.
Check the statuses of permits for parking spaces reserved for construction and special events. This tool is useful year-round and allows residents and visitors to view permit information, such as the affected meter space number, name, description and end date. The map will be updated daily to reflect the latest information, to provide transparency to the public and internal reference for ATD staff to work efficiently and effectively. Visit AustinTexas.gov/StreetParking for more information about on-street parking.
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Give your feedback to help the City of Austin go paperless
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Help Austin break up with paper. Through the Paper Census, the City and Austin Tech Alliance are collaborating to identify and prioritize City services that would benefit from a paperless transformation.
Residents can provide feedback through March 23 in the following ways:
- Take the survey online at PaperCensus.org.
- Answer the survey via text message at (806) 680-6802.
Be sure to spread the word on social media and invite other people to participate as well. Digitizing paper-driven processes and day-to-day operations will improve access to services, slash costs, and create endless opportunities for data-informed decision-making. With your valuable input, the City will be able to better continue serving the public.
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