WCBE News

Automated Shuttle Service Launching In Linden

WCBE 90.5FM | By Ohio Public Radio

Published January 9, 2020 at 4:57 AM EST

An automated shuttle service is about to launch in a Columbus neighborhood.

Officials say this is the first program of its kind in the country. Ohio Public Radio's Andy Chow reports.

The 12-person, self-driving shuttle will travel a nearly 3-mile circuit in Linden northeast of downtown Columbus. The residential service will connect people to places like a community house and a rec center.

Luke Stedke is with Drive Ohio, the state agency that helps streamline automated vehicle programs. He says the Linden project can play a role in the future use of driverless vehicles.

Stedke: "We're at the beginning of it. So we talk about testing and deploying and gathering data and learning lessons to further the process."

The Linden project, which is part of the Smart Columbus transportation grant program, will run for 12 months.

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