The city of Arlington, in Texas, has approved a one-year trial of autonomous vehicles in its ‘entertainment’ district, serving the home stadiums of both the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers.
California-based self-driving car company Drive.ai will supply three self-driving three-passenger vans to the city, with plans to expand to five vehicles during the trial period. Residents and visitors will be able to catch a ride in the self driving vans from October 19.
The route takes in AT&T Stadium, the Dallas Cowboys’ home ground, and Globe Life Park, the Texas Rangers’s home ground, as well as “remote parking lots”, and other venues.
The three vehicles will travel in a “predetermined, geo-fenced” area at speeds up to 35 miles per hour. Safety operators will be onboard during the initial phase of the project.
The project will be partially funded by a federal grant, with the remainder of funding coming from the city.
Jeff Williams, mayor of the City of Arlington, said: “Early testing of these technologically advanced solutions will prepare the City to take advantage of unique and efficient transportation options as they become available.”
Conway Chen, vice president of business strategy at Drive.ai, said: “This forward-thinking, bustling city has unique transportation needs, and we plan to provide a last-mile transit solution within a vibrant entertainment district. Together with the city, we aim to reshape the way people experience transportation in Arlington, Texas.”
The pilot is Drive.ai’s second in Texas, following a similar model in Frisco, launched in July in cooperation with the Frisco Transportation Management Association (TMA). The six-month Frisco trial has focused on pickup and drop-off locations around Hall Park and The Star, expanding also to Frisco Station.
Drive.ai said it will offer rides to over 10,000 people in Frisco during the period.
The Drive.ai vans will be among the transportation technologies showcased by cities during the three-day Texas Mobility Summit in Arlington, from October 28-30.
Drive.ai is located in Mountain View, California, and Frisco, Texas.
