|
Media contacts:
John Doan, Community Works, 612-543-1468
Kyle Mianulli, Community Works, 612-596-9875
Hennepin County is partnering with the Minnesota Department of Transportation and other agencies and community organizations to demonstrate use of the EasyMile EZ10 electric autonomous shuttle on a two-block section of the Midtown Greenway in Minneapolis this weekend, April 27-29.
Autonomous vehicles are no longer a thing of the future, and Hennepin County is interested in learning more about how the technology could work as one piece of a broader transportation system. The county has no current plans to implement an autonomous shuttle or other forms of autonomous transportation.
A chance to learn
“We’re looking ahead to the future of transportation in Hennepin County,” said Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, District 4. “Autonomous shuttles like this one could help more people get to more places without relying on a personal vehicle. We’re thinking about how this technology could help connect more people to major transitways, and how it might complement other types of transportation like walking, biking and driving. It could also improve mobility for people with disabilities and others without access to a car.”
“As our region continues to grow, making sure there are options for people to get where they need to go safely and efficiently is critical,” said Commissioner Marion Greene, District 3. “People want transportation choices. If we’re smart about how we develop and implement autonomous vehicle technology, it could be a valuable tool in building and maintaining smart, sustainable and healthy communities for the future.”
Hennepin County is inviting the public to learn about this new technology with us. Residents are encouraged to come out to the greenway this weekend, experience the shuttle in-person, and share feedback via an online survey that will be available at www.hennepin.us/av-demo.
A safe and efficient ride
The EZ10 shuttle has been used in 20 countries and has a perfect safety record. It has transported more than 230,000 people and logged more than 75,000 miles without incident, including in mixed pedestrian and bicycle environments.
For this demonstration, Hennepin County is taking extra safety precautions. The shuttle will travel no more than 12 miles per hour, and a human operator from First Transit will be on board the shuttle to take over, if needed.
Event details
When
Friday, April 27 — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Closed set up and demonstrations for partners
Saturday and Sunday, April 28 and 29 — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Free rides and demonstrations for the public
Where
- Two-block stretch of the Midtown Greenway between Hennepin and Fremont avenues
More
Media availability event
What
- Get photographs, video footage of the EasyMile EZ10 shuttle being used for this demonstration
- Talk with transportation experts, project staff, elected officials, and community representatives about the demonstration and driverless technology more broadly
Who
- Charlie Zelle, Minnesota Department of Transportation commissioner
- Marion Green, Hennepin County commissioner, District 3
- Peter McLaughlin, Hennepin County commissioner, District 4
- John Doan, Hennepin County Transportation Planning, assistant department director
- Soren Jensen, Midtown Greenway Coalition, executive director
- Emma Pachuta, Transit for Livable Communities and St. Paul Smart Trips, director of programs
- Sharon Monthei, Twin Cities chapter of National Federation for the Blind, president
- Janelle Borgen, WSB & Associates, Intelligent Transportation Systems manager
When
Saturday, April 28 — 8:30 to 10 a.m.
- 8:30 a.m. Shuttle available for photos
- 9 a.m. Shuttle brought down to the greenway, rides available
- 9 to 10 a.m. Experts available for interview
Where
- Girard Avenue South pedestrian bridge over the Midtown Greenway
– 30 –
Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at www.hennepin.us/news.
Discover how we're making a difference in our communities at www.hennepin.us/stories.
| 
