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Capital Metro, City of Austin and RATP Dev USA to test autonomous vehicle transit shuttle
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Capital Metro, the City of Austin and RATP Dev USA are working together to initiate a pilot electric-powered, autonomous transit service, initially deployed as a circulator in the downtown area.
The pilot project will proceed in two phases: technology testing and service run. The testing phase will evaluate the performance of autonomous bus vehicles from a few manufacturers. Testing will begin as soon as late July and will take up to 60 days. During the second phase, autonomous vehicle manufacturers will be able to submit proposals for Capital Metro to lease six vehicles to run in the pilot for 12 months. Capital Metro anticipates that the selected fleet will be in operation in late fall.
The electric-powered vehicles can carry up to 15 passengers and will be ADA accessible. Operators will be on board while the vehicles are being evaluated and running in service. This project will evaluate overall customer service, safety and the public’s reception and adoption of autonomous vehicles.
“Austin Transportation is excited to partner with Capital Metro on this groundbreaking effort,” said Jason JonMichael, Austin Transportation Assistant Director for Smart Mobility. “We're dedicated to making mobility safer, cleaner, more efficient and more equitable. This project has the potential to bring us closer to all of those goals and open up opportunities for future technological innovation.”
By providing a shared, electric and autonomous vehicle service, this project helps realize Austin’s long-term vision for mobility as outlined in the Smart Mobility Roadmap. Visit the City of Austin’s Smart Mobility Program website to learn more about innovative efforts to improve safety and mobility.
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Austin City Council adopts taxicab regulation reform measures
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Austin City Council approved a rewrite of Austin taxicab regulations last week that was put forward by Austin Transportation. The goal of the change is to modernize the current taxicab model while enhancing incentives for electric and ADA-compliant taxicab vehicles.
The measures are also intended to allow companies to operate on a level playing field with other ground transportation passenger services not regulated by the City, such as transportation network companies. The reforms include allowing for flexible fares and flat rates, flexible taxicab fleet numbers, virtual meters, the removal of third-party inspection requirements and certain cost-prohibitive trade dress requirements, and fee waivers as incentives for providing rides to people with accessibility needs.
A City Council amendment expands the types of vehicles that can be used as taxicabs to include three-door vehicles, such as hatchbacks and trucks with unimpeded front and rear seats, in addition to vans or minivans.
Austin Transportation led extensive stakeholder outreach related to the regulatory reform and broad consensus was reached. The ordinance will take effect in July and staff will monitor the impacts of the new policies and propose adjustments as needed.
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First multi-lane roundabout opens in Austin at I-35 and 51st Street
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Next time you find yourself traveling through I-35, you may find yourself driving in circles—well, sort of. TxDOT recently completed the first two-lane roundabout in Austin. The City of Austin contributed $9.2 million to the $16.5 million project at the southbound I-35 frontage road and 51st Street intersection.
Since the roundabout opened to traffic, there have been significant improvements in mobility. Morning travel times show frontage road traffic heading east is moving more than three times faster than before, and traffic using the new bypass lane is moving five times faster than going through the signalized intersection. In addition to reducing travel times, the project is also enhancing safety and significantly reducing the risk of major collisions.
The improvements also include a new southbound intersection bypass lane underneath 51st Street that allows drivers to bypass the intersection, and reconfigured entrance and exit ramps. In addition, bicycle and pedestrian enhancements, such as raised crosswalks and pedestrian hybrid beacons, account for the largest investment in bicycle and pedestrian upgrades for a Mobility35 project. The Mobility35 program addresses safety and mobility along I-35 through Williamson, Travis, and Hays counties.
“This project has been a great partnership between the City and TxDOT to ensure the project reflected what is important to our community,” said Austin Transportation Director Rob Spillar, “It is my hope that TxDOT, the City, and other agencies will continue to partner on I-35.”
View photos of the roundabout on Flickr and Facebook.
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Juneteenth Eastside Ride tours Austin history by bike
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Juneteenth Eastside Ride participants after their group ride. Photo credit: Eli Wells.
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On June 23, Austin residents embarked on a Juneteenth bike tour of East Austin. As many as 50 riders participated in a narrated tour of Eastside history with stops along significant African-American landmarks. Many riders had not biked in years, but everyone got a great workout on the four-mile route and learned a lot along the way. The early morning rides, offered at two times, started at Huston-Tillotson University with a fitness warmup, and returned for a celebratory breakfast, in conjunction with the Juneteenth Health Fest.
The Juneteenth Eastside Ride was organized, promoted and produced by soulciti with Counter Balance ATX. Austin Transportation provided funding, Austin B-cycle provided rental bikes at no charge to participants, and Bike Austin contributed route planning and ride leaders. Other partners included Six Square, the Austin Area Urban League, the Austin Socialite, Black Girls Do Bike Austin, and Riders Against the Storm. The event was part of Bike Month and Beyond, an Austin Transportation program that funds free and low-cost biking activities initiated and led by diverse community groups.
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This Fourth of July, celebrate safe and sober and get home safe
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United States flags hang on streetlight lampposts along the First Street Bridge for the Fourth of July.
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Austin Transportation wishes you a safe and fun Fourth of July, especially when traveling on the road. According to data on U.S. traffic fatalities between 2010 and 2014, July 4 is one of the deadliest days for drunk driving, second to New Year’s Day. July 3 also ranks among the top 10 deadliest days. Don’t let recklessness ruin what should be a joyous occasion. With your help, Austin can reach Vision Zero's goal of eliminating all traffic deaths and injuries.
Drive sober or plan ahead to get home safe. Austin Transportation will dismiss your downtown parking ticket if you provide proof that you took a responsible ride home instead, such as a taxi, public transit, or a ride-hailing service. Proof must show date and time of purchase. This waiver only applies to citations issued at City of Austin paid parking spaces for violations related to paid parking. Learn more about your alternatives to driving at AustinTexas.gov/GetHomeSafe.
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