Arlington, Texas, city leaders say they have approved a contract with a California-based self-driving car company for a one-year pilot program to run autonomous public transit within the city's entertainment district beginning this fall.
Beginning Oct. 19, the city and Drive.ai will roll out three self-driving three-passenger vans that will travel on roads alongside other vehicles in a predetermined, geo-fenced area at speeds up to 35 miles per hour.
The city said that during the initial phase of the yearlong pilot, safety operators will be onboard the vans moving people between AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Park and other nearby venues. With the approval of the city and Drive.ai, the pilot program could be expanded to five autonomous vehicles.
The program will be partially funded by a federal grant, with the remainder of funding coming from the city. The Drive.ai vans will be among the transportation technology showcased by cities from across the state during the three-day Texas Mobility Summit, which will be held in Arlington from Oct. 28-30.
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Source: KXAS-TV
